Statement of VoteVets Chairman and Iraq War Veteran Jon Soltz on Tim Walz being selected as Vice President Harris’s Running Mate

“VoteVets was proud to endorse Tim Walz in his first congressional race. When no one thought the seat was winnable, he flipped it. We’ve been with him ever since and have watched him consistently win, even through down periods for Democrats, like the 2010 midterms.

“The last few weeks have been inspiring, as people across America have seen what we’ve always seen in Governor Walz—a decent, down-to-earth man who puts service to country and community above himself. That’s his appeal. He connects across the aisle, even as he advocates rock-solid Democratic values. Tim Walz is gun-owning, high school football coach who wears a camo truck driver cap. He served in the National Guard as an enlisted man. He’s the friendly neighbor down the street who everyone in the community knows and everyone loves. There is a reason that since he left his Congressional seat, no other Democrat has been able to win it.

“Governor Walz isn’t just a guy you want to grab a beer with. He’s the guy you want to go fishing with every weekend. And he’s the kind of guy who will always be up for it.

“Governor Walz is going to supercharge this ticket, and here is why. Donald Trump’s margin with Veterans was cut by 14 points between 2016 and 2020, thanks to President Biden’s relationship with Veterans. Now, having a person who wore the uniform and who deployed around the world, adds to the ticket someone who can connect with Veterans and military families in a way that no one but a Veteran can.

“Simply put, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are the most formidable ticket Democrats have had in years.”