PHOENIX – Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, once considered a possible vice presidential running mate for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, issued a statement after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was selected as Harris’s vice presidential running mate.
In the statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Kelly said Harris and Walz “will lead us forward.”
“They are already preparing a campaign to unite our country – and (Gabby Giffords) and I are ready to do everything in our power to help them win,” the X-Post said.
Vice President @KamalaHarris and Governor @Tim_Walz will move us forward. They are already building a campaign to unite our country – and @GabbyGiffords and I’m ready to do whatever we can to help them win.
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) 6 August 2024
Mark Kelly (Photo by Rob Schumacher-Pool/Getty Images)
As mentioned above, Kelly was one of the names being discussed as Harris’s running mate for the November election. An August 2 Associated Press article reported that Kelly, along with Walz, Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, were interviewed prior to the announcement of Harris’s vice presidential nomination.
Walz, for his part, wrote on his X-account that it was “the honor of my life” to support Harris in the election campaign.
“I’m in,” the governor wrote.
It is the honor of my life to become a member @kamalaharris in this campaign.
Count me in.
Vice President Harris is showing us what is possible politically. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school.
So let’s do it, people! Join us. https://t.co/tqOVsw2OLM
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) 6 August 2024
Harris entered the presidential race after President Joe Biden ended his re-election attempt in July.
“Nothing, nothing can stand in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said during a televised address. “And that includes personal ambition.”
Biden’s withdrawal came after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent’s fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, made less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties consider to be the most consequential in generations.
The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report
