PHILADELPHIA — Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appeared together in Philadelphia Tuesday at a rally on Temple University’s campus, the first time she has visited Pennsylvania as the Democrats’ presumptive nominee for president. It’s been less than a month since Harris’ last visit to the City of Brotherly Love, but in that time she’s gone from being President Joe Biden’s running mate to leading at the top of the ticket.

The speculation about Harris’ running mate reached a fever pitch on Monday, with observers looking for any clue about who her pick would be. On Tuesday morning, she ended the guessing, announcing she had chosen Walz.

The running mates took the stage at the Liacouras Center to raucous applause from the full arena, with “Freedom” by Beyonce playing.

“We are the underdogs in this race. But we have the momentum, and I know exactly what we are up against,” Harris said. She said in her past roles as a prosecutor and senator she “took on perpetrators of all kinds: predators who abused women, fraudsters who scammed consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say: I know Donald Trump’s type.”

But her campaign is not just a fight against Trump, Harris added, “It’s a fight for the future.”

Harris described Walz’s career path as a teacher and high school football coach, taking a winless team to a state championship. He also championed students who were struggling with acceptance, she added, becoming the faculty advisor for students who wanted to start a support group for LGBTQ students.

What are some of Tim Walz’s Policy Priorities?

Tim Walz has a range of policy priorities that reflect his progressive agenda. Here are some key areas he focuses on:

1. Labor Rights: Walz has been a strong advocate for labor rights. Under his leadership, Minnesota has outlawed non-compete agreements, raised the minimum wage for small business employees, and set the stage for an expansive paid leave program¹.
2. Healthcare: He supports reproductive rights and has been outspoken about the importance of accessible healthcare. He also created a prescription drug affordability board to help control medication costs².
3. Education: Walz has pushed for increased public education spending and free college tuition for low-income families. He also signed legislation for free school meals³.
4. Climate and Environment: He has supported various environmental initiatives, including bolstering state infrastructure to be more sustainable⁴.
5. Tax Policy: Walz proposed an expansion of the child tax credit and has supported tax modifications to benefit lower-income families³.
6. Gun Control: He has advocated for universal background checks for gun purchases⁴.

These priorities illustrate his commitment to progressive values while also appealing to a broad range of voters, including those in rural areas.