Connecticut Democrats are applauding Vice President Kamala Harris' decision to pick Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.
Well before Tuesday morning's announcement, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney on Saturday had issued a statement in support of Walz as a vice presidential pick.
On Tuesday, Courtney noted Walz's background as a teacher, member of the Army National Guard and member of Congress serving a rural part of Minnesota.
He said Walz's roots in the American heartland will appeal to voters in swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan.
"People are going to look at him and say, 'Yeah, I know that guy,'" Courtney said. "That's actually something pretty special for Democrats going into, again, a critical election."
Gov. Ned Lamont said Harris made an "outstanding choice," describing Walz as a "good friend and a good partner."
"I particularly appreciate that he doesn't take himself too seriously, but is very serious about our country's future," Lamont said on social media.
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes said Walz’s experience as a teacher — and in executive and legislative roles — can resonate with a variety of voters.
"I think that he brings it from a different lens," Hayes said. "To tell people that these aren't only things that people in big cities and Democratic states care about. These are things that people from small communities of 400 people also care about."
Under Walz’s leadership last year, Minnesota funded free school meals for children and signed a broad abortion rights bill into law.
Bridgitte Prince, co-chair of the Connecticut Democrats' Veterans Caucus, praised Walz’s legislative work on veteran’s issues. She also said his leadership after George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis is part of the reason he's a good choice for the ticket.
"He made sure that his state was taken care of," Prince said. "He made sure that the urban community was taken care of — and the families of the victims."
While Walz helped pass police reform months after Floyd’s 2020 murder, some Republicans say he was too slow to respond to the sometimes violent unrest that followed Floyd’s death.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Republican Party was critical of the Walz announcement, describing him as a "big government liberal."
Republican State Chairman Ben Proto said in a statement that Harris "showed her true colors and the direction she wants to take America by choosing one of, if not the most, far-left progressive governors in America."
"The Harris-Walz far-left radical team wants to destroy the very fabric of America and take America and Americans to a place our founding fathers fought to get away from," Proto said.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said Walz is a man of "consummate authenticity."
"What you see is what you get. He is straight talking, plain speaking. He is a champion of American value, hard work ethic, commitment to teachers and education, commitment to veterans and to public service as a way of life," Blumenthal said. "I am going to be really proud to be advocating for this ticket."
Across Connecticut Tuesday, other Democratic leaders were quick to praise Walz in statements.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said that Walz has been "one of the most productive governors in the country."
"The down-to-earth, compassionate, regular guy you see on TV is exactly who he is in person," Murphy wrote on social media.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes said Walz is "one of the most human, genuine and authentic elected officials I've ever met."
U.S. Rep. John Larson said Walz and Harris "deeply understand the need to strengthen Social Security and enhance benefits for the first time in more than 50 years."
