Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is still playing coy about his prospects of joining the Democratic ticket as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick.

In public remarks on Thursday, after an unrelated press conference in Bloomington, Walz didn’t acknowledge being in the final mix. But he said it’s been surreal being part of a shortlist of candidates considered.

Walz avoided questions about whether Harris’ campaign is vetting him for the post or requesting an interview.

“I don’t know if every high school geography teacher expects to be in this position at some point. But it is very strange to be running on my treadmill and have people talking about the things that are there and, and scream back, ‘This guy is too old,’ ” he said. “I’m running my butt off here on the treadmill.”

This composite left to right, shows Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, July 3, 2024, in Washington, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., June 4, 2024, in Washington, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, July 20, 2024, in Pittsburgh, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in Frankfort, Ky., July 22, 2024. As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to announce her running mate, a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that several of the top potential contenders for the role are largely unknown to voters. (AP Photo)

Walz, a two-term governor and former six-term congressman, is said to be among a group of Democratic governors, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, in the running. Harris’ campaign is also considering U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona days ahead of an expected announcement.

Walz encouraged Harris to pick a Democratic governor. As chair of the Democratic Governors Association, he said a governor could be a strong running mate. He didn’t say whether he viewed himself as a strong candidate.

“I’m not interviewing for anything, I just am who I am and put it out there,” Walz said, adding, “I think there’s just that’s a decision that needs to be made by the vice president, and she will make it on what she sees.”

Harris, who could be declared the official Democratic nominee by Monday, is expected to announce her pick in the coming days. That person will make the rounds with her next week on a five-day tour through several swing states, including an event in neighboring Wisconsin on Wednesday.

Walz made the rounds appearing on national television outlets for interviews this week and distinguished himself by branding former President Donald Trump’s policy platforms as “weird.” It’s a line that landed and that other Democrats have repeated, while Republicans have attempted to deflect the moniker.

Related Articles

Trump ramps up his defense of Vance after one of the rockiest VP rollouts in recent memory

Harris calls Trump’s false claims about race ‘the same old show’ of divisiveness and disrespect

Donald Trump’s gag order remains in effect after hush money conviction, New York appeals court rules

What polling shows about the top VP contenders for Kamala Harris

What polling shows about the top VP contenders for Kamala Harris