Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will speak to union workers in California on Tuesday before crisscrossing the country in his first solo fundraising blitz since being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Mr. Walz will speak to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) at its annual convention in Los Angeles before heading to Newport Beach to raise money at a reception, the campaign said Monday.
He’ll give remarks at fundraisers in Denver and Boston on Wednesday and stop in a pair of tony locales — Newport, Rhode Island, and Southampton, New York — for two more receptions on Thursday.
While most of the trip will be aimed at fundraising, the campaign focused on Mr. Walz’s speech to union workers who form a key part of the party base.
“Governor Walz, a former union member himself, has a strong record of standing up for unions and delivering for workers — from joining the picket line and passing the most pro-worker package of laws in Minnesota history, to guaranteeing Minnesota workers paid sick, medical, and family leave,” the campaign said.
The trip is notable because Mr. Walz will be striking out on his own instead of joining Ms. Harris, the Democratic nominee for president.
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The pair drew big crowds last week, causing former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee, to insist that his rallies remain a huge draw and he’s on the path to victory in November.
Mr. Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, are targeting Mr. Walz’s record on transgender issues and police matters, dubbing him a “liberal radical.”
They’ve also questioned his decision to retire from the Army National Guard during a congressional run in 2005 — a few months before the Army issued a mobilization order that would send his unit to Iraq in 2006.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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