Why Did Harris Pick Walz? His Policies and Midwest Appeal Stood Out.

As Kamala Harris was landing on her choice of a vice-presidential candidate, a few things about Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota brought him to the front of the pack.

According to two people directly familiar with her decision-making, the economic policies Mr. Walz has championed as governor, including a statewide child tax credit and a paid-leave program, are the kinds of measures a Harris administration would try to enact on a national scale.

In 2023, Mr. Walz also signed a bill that codified the protections of Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion, into law in his state. Abortion rights has been a cornerstone of Ms. Harris’s advocacy work as vice president.

Of course, the selection of Mr. Walz as running mate does not guarantee that any of his work at the state level could be replicated nationally should Ms. Harris win election in November.

President Biden has called for an expanded child tax credit. He has tried to get a paid-leave initiative into a far-reaching social spending bill. And he has all but begged voters to elect more Democratic lawmakers who could help him get the congressional majority needed to get the protections once afforded by Roe passed into law. None of that has happened yet, and it would remain an uphill battle should Ms. Harris become president.

With three months to go before the election, Ms. Harris and her advisers also decided that she needed someone who would have appeal in Midwestern states — including Michigan and Wisconsin — that are considered must-wins for her. Ms. Harris and her team liked his straight-talking style, including when he called former President Donald J. Trump and his fellow Republicans “weird.”

Mr. Walz is thought to be someone who could match up well