Despite his proximity and Midwestern characteristics, Gov. Tim Walz has failed to impress voters in Wisconsin, who express concerns about his policies and demeanor.
Voters in Wisconsin, a battleground state, have expressed a lack of enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota. When asked about Walz's status as a fellow Midwesterner, many respondents dismissed him or expressed negative views.
Diana Altwies, a resident of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, declared, "Who's Tim Walz?" Altwies intends to vote for former President Donald Trump, as she did in 2016 and 2020.
Wisconsin Voters Unimpressed with Harris' Midwestern Running Mate
Brian Morawski of Milwaukee County remarked, "If you like people that are completely stupid, he's great." He described Walz as "relatable as somebody that I really dislike."
According to Altwies, she had heard Walz's last name before but did not recognize him as Harris' running mate. "I've never seen him on TV or anything," she said.
Wisconsin Voters Unimpressed with Harris' Midwestern Running Mate
Kathy Przekwas of Kenosha County stated that she disliked Harris' running mate "at all." She explained that Walz came off as "fast-talking" and "throws in, like, a bunch of things that aren't true but talks real fast."
"I don't like any of the things he did in Minnesota, you know, because I'm up on all of that and how he handled the pandemic," Przekwas added.
Wisconsin Voters Unimpressed with Harris' Midwestern Running Mate
Walz has been criticized for instituting a Hotline during the COVID-19 pandemic to report individuals who violated social distancing guidelines.
Przekwas believes that Midwesterners are "natural and down to earth," a description she does not associate with Walz. "I think he tries to portray that, but I don't think he really is."
Wisconsin Voters Unimpressed with Harris' Midwestern Running Mate
Despite Fox News Digital's interviews solely featuring negative opinions about Walz, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler claimed, "So many people have said to me, 'He's like my dad.'"
"Tim Walz has this extraordinary quality, for Wisconsin voters specifically," Wikler said. "He's such a familiar type of person."
Wisconsin Voters Unimpressed with Harris' Midwestern Running Mate
Wisconsin Republican Party Executive Director Andrew Iverson, on the other hand, stated, "Actually, I hear a lot of people who are really excited about JD Vance in Wisconsin."
Sen. Vance, Trump's running mate, is also from the Midwest, having grown up in Ohio. "A lot of folks are excited about him because he has such a great story to tell," Iverson said, referring to Vance's background as recounted in his memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy."
Iverson further claimed that voters are aware of "his failed record." He asserted that "people are more excited about JD Vance than Tim Walz" in Wisconsin.
In contrast to Walz, Sen. Vance has garnered positive feedback from Wisconsin residents. One resident praised Vance's ability to connect with voters, saying, "He's accessible."
Another voter remarked, "He's a very impressive young man."
Vance's message of economic opportunity and support for working families appears to resonate with Wisconsin voters. One resident stated, "He's speaking to the issues that we care about."
In conclusion, while Harris and Walz have done fewer interviews than Trump and Vance, feedback from Wisconsin voters suggests that Walz's Midwestern roots have not translated into support. Vance, on the other hand, has made a more favorable impression on Wisconsin residents, particularly with his emphasis on economic issues.
