Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, recently selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, is relatively unknown to 71% of Americans, according to a recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll. In his home state of Minnesota, however, Walz is fairly popular, with a 54% approval rating among registered voters. Compared to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, another top contender for Harris’ running mate, Walz has a higher approval rating.
On the other hand, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has seen a decline in popularity since his selection as former President Donald Trump’s running mate. The recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll shows that 34% of adults view Vance favorably, while 43% view him unfavorably, marking a net rating of minus-9 points. This is a significant decrease from July, when Vance had a net rating of minus-3 points.
Harris’ selection of Walz as her running mate comes amidst a turbulent month in the presidential race, which has included an assassination attempt on Trump, the Republican convention, and Biden’s exit from the 2024 campaign. The 2024 contest has been reset, with a more competitive political environment that has improved for Democrats.
Overall, the upcoming election remains competitive, with parties racing to introduce and define their candidates to the public. It will be essential for both parties to make their case and gain voter support in the coming weeks.
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