As a Native woman, Flanagan says Walz knows how to partner with women of color
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The selection of Gov. Tim Walz as a Democratic vice presidential candidate could trigger a cascade of political leadership changes in Minnesota.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said she was “over the moon” when she heard the news that Walz would be running with Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I’m a little biased, of course, but I think Vice President Harris made an incredible choice and this ticket is incredibly meaningful, and I think we’re gonna win in November,” Flanagan said.
If Walz and Harris win, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan would become Minnesota’s next governor under succession steps laid out in the Minnesota Constitution.
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But in the meantime, Flanagan says the state will continue to run.
“Tim Walz is still the governor,” she said. “Minnesotans will continue to see him here in the state. Of course, he’ll be on the campaign trail, but I think he can do two things at once.”
If Walz moves from St. Paul to Washington, D.C., Flanagan would be the first female governor in Minnesota and the first Native American woman to serve as governor in the country.
Flanagan said Walz “knows how to partner with a strong woman of color,” so he will be an “incredible partner” for Harris.
“(Walz) was very intentional in asking me to be his running mate and knew what it would mean to have a Native woman and a woman of color on this ticket, and I think what it meant was that more people saw themselves reflected in state government.”
Flanagan said she’s excited to see what Walz would do on a national scale.
“He’s just been phenomenal, I think, for the state, in making sure kids are fed, and we have access to paid family and medical leave, that women can make their own health care choices, and I think that is the kind of spirit that he will bring,” Flanagan said.
Flanagan was at a rally Tuesday at Carpenters Local Union 322 in St. Paul, watching Gov. Walz in Philadelphia, where he’ll give his first speech as the new vice presidential pick.
She was joined by other Democratic leaders, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.
“I’ve never been so excited to see someone move out of St. Paul,” Carter said. “The country is seeing what we’ve gotten to see for a really long time, an authentic leader who actually cares about people.”
As Walz prepared to take the stage in Philadelphia, Sen. Tina Smith said the Tim Walz she knows is the guy she sees on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.
“It is like six in the morning, and he’s out there running around. Probably had two or three diet mountain dews, greeting everybody like he’s the damn high school principal of Minnesota and not the governor,” Smith said. “I think America is getting to know this man who we all know and we love so well, the high school team, the union member, the National Guard member, the football coach, the incredible governor of Minnesota.”
When Harris introduced Minnesota’s governor as Coach Walz during the televised rally, the room erupted in cheers, as if they were watching a football game and their team had just scored.