Yahoo News Election 2024 updates: Split-screen campaign blitz kicks off in Wisconsin, Michigan
Fresh off a newly minted Democratic ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are set to go on tour, hitting several battleground states in five days -- alongside them and mirroring their schedule state by state is Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance.
On Monday, Harris introduced Walz to a fired-up crowd in Philadelphia; Vance was also in Pennsylvania on Monday. The candidates will campaign next in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Latest Developments
Aug 7, 12:21 PM
22 Democratic governors, including Shapiro and Beshear, praise Harris' selection of Walz as VP
Twenty-two Democratic governors are lauding the fact that their colleague, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has joined the 2024 Democratic ticket.
In a statement released on Wednesday, they stressed as a group of leaders -- which includes some they said were "elected in very challenging races in battleground and red states" -- that they were "thrilled" with Harris' selection.
The joint statement was notably signed by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who themselves were on the shortlist of potential Harris vice presidential picks. All three had submitted materials to the Democratic nominee's vetting team, though only Shapiro had traveled to Washington, D.C., on Sunday for an in-person interview with Harris.
"As America’s Democratic governors, we represent a broad and diverse set of 23 states that make up more than half the U.S. population. Many of us were elected in very challenging races in battleground and red states. We make tough decisions as state executives every day, and know what it takes to win. We couldn't be more thrilled that Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, and will do everything in our power to ensure their success this November," the statement, first shared with ABC News, reads.
"Overall, there’s no doubt the Harris-Walz ticket is the perfect one-two punch to knock out the GOP's dangerous agenda and failure to deliver for the American people," the statement continues.
Other governors who signed on to the letter include California's Gavin Newsom, Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, Colorado's Jared Polis, Maryland's Wes Moore and North Carolina's Roy Cooper.
Aug 7, 12:25 PM
Vance targets Harris' 'policy choices' during Michigan stop
GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance delivered remarks following a briefing with the Shelby Township, Michigan, Police Department on Wednesday, where he went after Vice President Kamala Harris on her "policy choices."
Vance's remarks at the event focused on supporting law enforcement and combating undocumented immigration.
"We've got to throw Kamala Harris out of office, not give her a promotion, and that's what our law enforcement needs," he said.
When asked by reporters about how a Trump administration would actually deport undocumented immigrants (Trump has repeatedly vowed to deport millions of migrants), Vance gave no real plan on how that would happen but stated: "We are going to deport people now."
Vance also took aim at his Democratic VP opponent, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a retired National Guardsman, questioning his military service while providing no facts to back up his claim. Vance also called out Walz for his comment during Tuesday's rally in Philadelphia, where the governor called out the senator's Ivy League education and support from tech billionaires.
"And if he wants to criticize me for getting an Ivy League education, I'm proud of the fact that my mama supported me, that I was able to make something of myself," Vance said.
Vance was again asked his thoughts about Trump falsely questioning Harris' racial identity. Vance said he viewed Trump's attack on the vice president as her being "a chameleon."
"I think he was observing the basic foundational reality that Kamala Harris pretends to be something different depending on which audience she's speaking to,” the senator said.
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie
Aug 7, 9:32 AM
Trump says he 'could not be more thrilled' about Walz as Harris' VP pick
Former President Donald Trump said he "couldn't believe" Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, adding he "could not be more thrilled," when he called into Fox and Friends Wednesday morning.
"I would say my reaction is, I can't believe it. I never thought this was going to be the one that was picked," Trump said. "He's a very, very liberal man, and he's a shocking pick, and I'm thrilled. I could not be more thrilled."
Asked if his campaign thought Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was going to be the VP pick, Trump said he thought Shapiro would've been a better choice.
"I would have said it would have been a better choice," Trump said of Shapiro. "I would have said others were the better, better choice."
-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Kelsey Walsh and Soorin Kim
Aug 7, 5:00 AM
Harris and Walz to hold rallies in Wisconsin, Michigan Wednesday
Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are scheduled Wednesday to hold rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan, bringing their "vision for the future" to two battleground states on their first full day of campaigning together.
"Together, they will highlight the choice facing Blue Wall voters between the Trump-Vance agenda to weaken unions and give tax cuts to the wealthy on the backs of the middle class, and the Harris-Walz vision for the future, where everyone has the opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead," the Harris campaign said.
At their midday stop in Wisconsin, the pair will be joined by Gov. Tony Evers and Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
The pair will then travel to Wayne County Airport in Michigan for an evening rally, the campaign said. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will join them, the campaign said.
"Their visits come on the heels of over a dozen labor endorsements, including last week's endorsement from UAW -- which represents more than 130,000 members in Michigan alone," the campaign said.
-ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow and Will McDuffie
Aug 6, 7:42 PM
JD Vance cancels North Carolina rallies due to Tropical Storm Debby
Sen. JD Vance will not be making appearances in North Carolina Thursday, due to the forecast of Tropical Storm Debby in the state, the Trump-Vance campaign said in a statement Tuesday.
Vance had two scheduled rallies in Raleigh and Oakboro.
"The Trump-Vance campaign will be rescheduling these events in North Carolina as soon as possible," the campaign said.
Aug 6, 7:20 PM
Harris-Walz campaign says it raised over $20 million since running mate announcement
Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's campaign announcement has proven to be a fundraising success, according to a statement from the campaign Tuesday.
The Harris-Walz campaign says it has raised more than $20 million since this morning's announcement of Walz joining Harris on the Democratic ticket in November.
Aug 6, 7:00 PM
Walz says he 'can't wait' to debate JD Vance: 'These guys are creepy'
Gov. Walz came out hard against former President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance during his first campaign rally speech as Harris' vice presidential pick.
"Donald Trump’s not fighting for you or your family," Walz said. He never sat at that kitchen table, like the one I grew up at, wondering how we were going to pay the bills. He sat at his country club in Mar a Lago wondering how he can cut taxes for his rich friends," Walz added.
Turning his attention to Vance, Walz said, "His running mate shares his dangerous and backward agenda for this country."
"I got to tell you, I can't wait to debate the guy," Walz continued, quipping, "That is, if he's willing to get off the couch and show up."
Calling out the Republican ticket, Walz added, "These guys are creepy. And yeah, it's just weird as hell."
Aug 6, 6:41 PM
Harris and Walz are officially the Democratic nominees: DNC
As Harris and Walz took the stage in Philadelphia, the Democratic National Committee announced they are officially the Democratic nominees for president and vice president.
"Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz officially accepted the nominations today, following the close of delegate voting on Monday, August 5th and the official certification of the roll call by Convention Secretary Jason Rae. Convention Chair Minyon Moore then certified Governor Walz as her running mate," according to the statement from DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNCC Chair Minyon Moore.
Harris addressed the nomination at the campaign rally, saying, "I stand before you today to proudly announce I am now, officially, the Democratic nominee for president of the United States."
Aug 6, 6:34 PM
Harris praises Walz's background in politics and teaching: 'Our values are the same'
During their first joint campaign rally, Vice President Kamala Harris introduced her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and touted his progressive record as state governor, his background as a high school teacher and football coach and a U.S. military sergeant.
"Since the day that I announced my candidacy, I set out to find a partner who can help build this brighter future. A leader who will help unite our nation and move us forward. A fighter for the middle class. A patriot who believes as I do in the extraordinary promise of America," Harris of her search for a VP pick.
"Tim is more than a governor. To his wife, Gwen, he is a husband. To his kids, Hope and Gus, he is a dad. To his fellow veterans, he is Sgt. Major Walz, to the people of Southern Minnesota for 12 years, he was congressman. To his former high school students, he was Mr. Walz. And to his former high school football players, he was coach," Harris said.
"Coach Walz and I may hail from different corners of this great country," Harris continued, "But our values are the same."
Aug 6, 6:08 PM
Harris and Walz take the stage in Philadelphia in 1st joint campaign rally
Vice President Kamala Harris and her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, were met with loud applause and cheers in Philadelphia as they made their first joint appearance.
That massive crowd gave Harris and Walz a long standing ovation as they took the stage to the song "Freedom" by Beyoncé.
