Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, recently selected as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate, is set to embark on his first solo fundraising tour this week. The tour marks a significant step in his new role on the Democratic ticket, underscoring the campaign's efforts to galvanize support ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Walz's solo journey follows a successful joint tour with Harris through key battleground states, where he demonstrated his potential to energize the Democratic base.
Beginning on Tuesday, Walz will kick off his "fundraising blitz" with a speech at the AFSCME government workers union convention in Los Angeles. This appearance will be followed by a fundraising event in Newport Beach, California, a state that holds particular significance as Harris's home turf. The California events are expected to build on the momentum Harris generated during a recent fundraiser in San Francisco, where she, alongside former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, raised over $12 million.
After his California engagements, Walz will continue his tour with stops in Denver and Boston on Wednesday. He is scheduled to conclude his week-long trip with events in Newport, Rhode Island, and Southampton, New York, on Thursday. This solo effort by Walz is seen as a crucial opportunity to solidify his role as a key player in the Harris campaign, as well as to bolster the campaign's war chest as they head into the final stretch before the election.
The decision to send Walz on a solo fundraising mission reflects the confidence the Harris campaign has in his ability to connect with voters and donors alike. His energetic presence during the joint tour with Harris earned him widespread praise, with many observers noting his ability to inject enthusiasm into the campaign's public events. This enthusiasm, combined with his reputation as a pragmatic and effective leader in Minnesota, makes him a valuable asset to the Democratic ticket.
Walz's solo tour comes at a time when the Harris campaign is riding a wave of financial success. Following the announcement of Walz as her running mate, the campaign raised an impressive $36 million in just 24 hours. This fundraising surge is indicative of the strong support for the Harris-Walz ticket among Democratic donors, as well as the broader party base.
In California, a state that is crucial for any Democratic campaign, Walz's presence is expected to reinforce Harris's standing and appeal to key donors. California has long been a fundraising powerhouse for Democratic candidates, and the decision to hold events in both Los Angeles and Newport Beach underscores the campaign's strategic focus on maximizing its financial resources.
