Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s anointed nominee, selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. There are concrete reasons why she selected Walz and declined to choose Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. First is the power struggle within the Democratic Party. More importantly, as Harris says in her stump speech, is the future – or her vision for it.

I was confident Harris would pick Shapiro. It was the politically expedient choice, and Democrats have demonstrated defeating the “orange menace” is more important than principles.

However, the far-left wing of the Democratic Party vehemently protested Shapiro. Their biggest objection was Shapiro’s unabashed support of Israel. Members of the party established a website, “No Genocide Josh.” 

If this election is close, the Electoral College may run through Pennsylvania. There was little doubt that Shapiro would have been a boon to Harris’ chance of carrying the state. He had the added benefit of adding credibility to the narrative that Harris has moderated her views since her well-documented past statements.

Walz, who wasn’t on the initial list of top potential running mates, rose to the top after he labeled the Republican ticket as “weird.” While Bernie Sanders and the Squad loudly protested Shapiro, they championed Walz.

Just as Trump picked somebody who reflected his beliefs, so did Harris, and that is the candidate with the furthest left values: Tim Walz. While Democrats say Walz represents Midwest values, his record demonstrates he’s in sync with San Francisco liberals.

In an interview, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “To characterize him as left is so unreal.” Yup, perfectly in sync with San Francisco liberals.

But the packaging is suitable. Walz speaks well and, unlike Kamala, can do it without a teleprompter. He looks like a Midwesterner dad. He has an excellent bio, with a nice story as a teacher, football coach, and Army National Guardsman (although he did not see active combat duty).

He won a rural Republican Congressional District when Democrats took back the House during the 2006 midterms, boasting an A rating from the NRA (he now gets an F). He served six terms in the House.

In 2018, another good year for Democrats, he won the Governorship of Minnesota and increasingly tacked left.

When George Floyd died, violent riots broke out in Minneapolis. Over 1500 properties were damaged, with over 100 completely burned to the ground, including a police precinct and dozens more in St. Paul and the University of Minnesota. Many are still unrepaired. At least two people died during the riots. 

Governor Walz sat idly for three days, allowing the riots to happen unabated. Walz called the riots “peaceful” (not even mostly peaceful) and said the lack of “equity and inclusion” caused the riots – and was acceptable. Anarchy reigned, setting off riots across the nation. Voters must see those images throughout this campaign to remind them of Walz’s leadership.

The Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF) bailed out the rioters. Harris helped promote the MFF and its fundraising efforts. Many other criminals bailed out by MFF have committed a variety of crimes, including murder.

In her teleprompter-delivered speeches, Harris talks about the future. Her past quotes (all captured on video) demonstrate her enthusiasm for the same legislation and programs Walz implemented in Minnesota. It’s the future vision she described when she ran for president in 2019. He’s done for Minnesota what she wants to do to the country, and is the best explanation for choosing him as her running mate.

If you want a glimpse into the future with a Harris-Walz administration and a Democratic Congress, look what Walz signed into law when he won a second term. The Democratic Party (the DFL – Democratic Farm Labor Party – in Minnesota) also controlled the Minnesota State House and Senate. 

In 2023, Walz signed over 50 bills into law, vetoing only one (providing a higher wage to Uber and Lyft drivers).

Minnesota became an example of leftist dreams come true. 

Spending the largest surplus in Minnesota history

Minnesota began 2023 with the largest budget surplus in state history, about $18 billion. Each Minnesotan was overtaxed by about $3,000. 

The far left went on a spending spree that spent the entire surplus and permanently increased spending by 40 percent in one year. Federal government over-spending caused the worst inflation in 40 years. Imagine what this level of federal spending would do.

Bigger government 

Healthcare for illegal immigrants. Minnesota became the second state to provide free or low-cost health care to illegal immigrants.

“Free lunch” (and breakfast). Universal free meals to all K-12 students, regardless of income. This polls well, but is it the government’s job to provide free meals for every child? Educators argued they needed resources that were more critical than this program.

Establishing huge new government bureaucracies 

The new Paid Family and Medical Leave Act Walz signed takes effect January 1, 2026. The bill covers all Minnesota employees, full-time and part-time, including single-person businesses. It guarantees up to 20 weeks of paid family and medical leave (out of 52). A new payroll tax of 0.88% will fund the program. The tax can increase to 1.2% one year after the program begins. Imagine what it will be in five years.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will set up a vast new government bureaucracy called The Family and Medical Benefits Division to run the program. Four hundred new bureaucrats have already been hired, with the state’s Budget Commissioner reporting it will likely need to hire at least 2,000 people. 

When the government releases positive employment reports, remember that government is the number one category. Staffing new government bureaucracies like this one explains job growth. You pay these salaries.

Another law requires Minnesota’s electric grid to be 100 percent carbon-free by 2040. The Center for the American Experiment, a Minnesota Think Tank, estimates it will “cost the state $313.2 billion through 2050 and lead to devastating blackouts.” 

Spend and tax

To pay for his liberal wish list, Walz signed a slew of new taxes and fees into law.

Taxes

He raised Minnesota’s top state income tax bracket to 10.85 percent.

Minnesota now boasts the highest corporate tax in the U.S., beating out New Jersey. As if on cue, the number of Fortune 500 companies based in Minnesota dropped from sixteen to fifteen. Further, 3M, Medtronic, Best Buy, Amazon, and Facebook have announced layoffs, reductions in workforce, cuts, closing, or restructuring in the state.

Fees

Walz approved a new 50-cent delivery fee on retail deliveries, such as Amazon, of over $100. 

He increased the state’s gas tax. It has already increased from 28.5 cents/gallon in 2022 and will rise to 33.5 cents by 2027. 

He increased auto registration fees by over 20 percent.

As Democrats sell him as an outdoorsman, remind voters that Walz:

Increased the cost of fishing licenses by 20 percent for state residents and 35 percent for visitors to Minnesota. 

Increased the cost of permits for state parks by 29 percent for an annual and 42 percent for a daily sticker.

Minnesota is known as “The Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but putting a boat in one of them got more expensive thanks to the budget Walz signed. The amount depends on the size of the boat, but the registration for a typical fishing boat (17-19’) increased by 119 percent while registering a 20’ boat went up 151 percent. In addition to the registration fee, boaters must pay an “aquatic invasive species” surcharge, which increased from $10 to $20 this year.

Plenty for the woke, the enlightened, and the special interests

Many who support abortion rights might be surprised to read the law Walz signed:

Permits abortion through all nine months for any reason – and repealed the provisions that second and third-trimester abortions must be performed in hospitals. 

Repeals the law that allowed only physicians to perform abortions.

Removed funding from pregnancy resource centers while expanding taxpayer-funded abortion.

Walz signed a “Transgender Refuge” bill making Minnesota a refuge state for minors seeking “gender-affirming care.” Once a minor makes it to Minnesota (with or without parental consent), the state must ignore other states’ laws prohibiting gender-affirming care. If the parent of a child opposes their child’s request, Minnesota judges can use the statute to strip custody from the parent.

Walz signed a bill requiring all public and charter schools to provide free menstrual products for all students (grades 4-12) in all bathrooms – including boys bathrooms.

In addition to providing free or reduced healthcare for illegal immigrants, Walz signed:

The Drivers Licenses For All Act – allows illegal immigrants to receive driver’s licenses. A rental agreement is all that is necessary to obtain one.

A bill restoring felons’ right to vote.

Automatic Voter Registration. Everybody applying for a driver’s license is automatically signed up to vote. There is no information about how “non-citizens” are prevented from getting registered. Further, anybody with a Minnesota driver’s license can register to vote in the state.

16-17-year-olds pre-registration. Walz signed a bill that pre-registers sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to vote. 

He signed a bill allowing Election Day registration and voting.

Not all these laws and taxes have gone into effect yet. Gradually, residents here are waking up. No wonder Walz aggressively campaigned for a new job in Washington.

Honestly, this is only the tip of the iceberg. These are the laws Walz signed in 2023. Do you have time to hear about the new state flag this year – and more?

What Walz did to Minnesota made him Bernie Sanders and the Squad’s hero. Harris would like to use his playbook. It’s what she means when she talks about the future. That’s why she selected him as her running mate.

Don’t let anybody tell you Walz is mainstream Midwest. His accent and packaging are all Midwest. His values are in sync with San Francisco liberals Pelosi and Harris. They’re envious of what he’s done in Minnesota. Don’t let them do it to the United States.

Andy Bloom is President of Andy Bloom Communications. He specializes in media training and political communications. He has programmed legendary stations including WIP, WPHT, WYSP/Philadelphia, KLSX, Los Angeles, and WCCO Minneapolis. He was Vice President of Programming for Emmis International, Greater Media Inc., and Coleman Research. Andy also served as communications director for Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio). He can be reached by email at andy@andybloom.com or you can follow him on Twitter at @AndyBloomCom.