CHICAGO — Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz introduced himself to his largest audience yet Wednesday as he capped off the third day of his party’s convention, touting his vision of “freedom” and excoriating the GOP.
“When Republicans use the word ‘freedom,’ they mean that the government should be free to invade your doctor’s office, corporations free to pollute your air and water and banks free to take advantage of customers,” Walz told the crowd. “But when we Democrats talk about freedom, we mean … freedom to make your own health care decisions, your kids’ freedom to go to school without worrying about being shot.”
Vice President Kamala Harris’ allies see in Walz a ticket-mate with the ability to speak to constituencies — rural white voters, especially men — who have fled the Democratic Party in recent years. He also brings experience to the ticket as a governor halfway through his second term and a House member for 12 years.
Walz highlighted his experiences as a teacher, football coach, veteran and gun owner from the stage, coming out to the tune of John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” and speaking of his early life being raised in a rural town of 400 people. Convention organizers distributed signs reading “Coach Walz” throughout the arena for his speech.
He mentioned his father’s death at a young age and having to rely on Social Security survivor benefits and the GI Bill.
“Growing up in a small town like that, you learn how to take care of each other,” Walz said, before he recalled his first election to office, flipping a Republican-held House district. “Never underestimate a public school teacher. Never.”
Walz touted his record a governor in a state where Democrats have enjoyed full control in state government the last two years and have passed gun safety, free school lunch and paid family leave measures.
“Other states were banning books from their schools; we were banishing hunger from ours,” he said. “We also protected reproductive freedom, because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. Even if we wouldn’t make those same choices for ourselves, we’ve got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business.”
He took aim at the right-wing Project 2025 plan, a major theme of the Harriz-Walz campaign. “It’s an agenda that does nothing for our neighbors in need. Is it weird? Absolutely,” Walz said. “But it’s also wrong, and it’s dangerous.”
Walz’s finale capped off a Wednesday program under the theme “A Fight for Our Freedoms.” It began with speeches by a series of abortion-rights advocates, an LGBTQ rights activist and leaders of liberal groups that focus on outreach to women and Latinos. And it ended with Walz touting Harris as the “freedom” candidate in this election, the main theme of her campaign.
“No matter who you are, Kamala Harris is gonna stand up and fight for your freedom to live the life you want to lead,” Walz said. “Because that’s what we want for ourselves. And that’s what we want for our neighbors.”
Democrats also emphasized the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol early in the night, playing a video featuring footage of the rioters and hearing from former Capitol Police officer Aquilino Gonell at the podium, who said Trump “incited” the attack.
And Democrats also highlighted immigration and border security as a big theme, seeking to address a major political weakness for the party — and solidifying their shift to the right on tougher enforcement after years of de-emphasizing it in their messaging.
Remarks came from heavy hitters, including former President Bill Clinton, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the former House speaker, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Also speaking Wednesday were rising stars in the party, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro — himself a finalist in Harris’ search for a running mate — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Walz was introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a fellow Minnesotan, and his former student Benjamin Ingman.
The arena also was also treated to performances by singer-songwriters John Legend and Stevie Wonder.
Heading into the speech, a Harris-Walz campaign official said the goal was to continue the themes that Walz has been carrying on the road. The campaign said that it believes Walz’s stump speech has played well with voters and that it was “eager to deliver it to an audience this large” — more as an evolution than groundbreaking.
Actor Mindy Kaling emceed part of the event and highlighted the Indian immigrant stories of both her mother and Harris’ mother.
In addition, Oprah Winfrey gave a speech that thrilled the packed crowd as she took aim at GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s disparaging remarks about “childless cat ladies.” She made a full-throated case for Harris, calling her the candidate of “inclusion over retribution.” She added, “We won’t be set back, pushed back, bullied back; we’re not going back.”