Harris taps Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Democratic running mate

• Vice President Kamala Harris tapped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her presidential campaign running mate.
• Harris and Walz are running against the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio.
• Harris became her party's de facto nominee after she was endorsed by President Joe Biden when he dropped out of the election.

Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her Democratic running mate for the 2024 presidential election, a person familiar with the choice tell NBC News. The two are scheduled to appear together later in the day Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Walz, 60, in the past two weeks has been on a short list for the vice presidential candidate spot, along with fellow Democratic rising stars Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Although the two-term governor began the veepstakes process with relatively low name recognition nationally, his profile quickly rose as a result of media appearances, and Walz won over progressives with his affable Midwestern demeanor and journey to politics.

Harris and Walz will face the Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance of Ohio.

Walz was born in the small town of West Point, Nebraska, and joined the Army National Guard after graduating from high school in Butte, Nebraska.

He later worked as a high school teacher for several decades, during which he coached football and was a faculty advisor for the school's gay-straight alliance.

He won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, where he served six terms, and was elected Minnesota's governor in 2018.

Harris became the de facto Democratic nominee two weeks ago, after President Joe Biden exited the race