Obama endorses Walz as Harris' VP pick: Read the former president's full statement

Barack and Michelle Obama have officially endorsed Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick , Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz .

The former president and first lady shared their support of Harris' running mate in a statement posted to X , formerly Twitter, Tuesday morning. Barack Obama shared an image of a longer statement to his official account with the caption:

"Like Vice President Harris, Governor @Tim_Walz believes that government works to serve us. Not just some of us, but all of us. That’s what makes him an outstanding governor, and that’s what will make him an even better vice president. Michelle and I couldn’t be happier for Tim and Gwen, their family, and our country."

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The full statement, signed "President Obama and Mrs. Obama," can be read below.

"When a presidential candidate chooses a running mate, it says a lot about who they are and what kind of president they'll be. Do they pick someone inexperienced and polarizing who will deepen our divisions? Or do they pick someone with the judgment to make tough decisions, and the character to believe that every voice counts and everyone deserves an equal chance?

By selecting Tim Walz to be her vice president from a pool of outstanding Democrats, Kamala Harris has chosen an ideal partner - and made it clear exactly what she stands for.

Governor Walz doesn't just have the experience to be vice president, he has the values and the integrity to make us proud. As governor, Tim helped families and businesses recover from the pandemic, established paid family leave, guaranteed the right to an abortion, and put common sense gun safety measures in place to keep communities safe. But Tim's signature is his ability to talk like a human being and treat everyone with decency and respect - not all that surprising considering the fact that he served in the National Guard for 24 years and worked as a high school social studies teacher and football coach before being elected to Congress.

Like Vice President Harris, Governor Walz believes that government works to serve us. Not just some of us, but all of us. That's what makes him an outstanding governor, and that's what will make him an even better vice president, ready on day one. Michelle and I couldn't be happier for Tim and Gwen, their family, and our country."

Who is Tim Walz?

Tim Walz, 60, was born in West Point, Nebraska, and grew up in Valentine, Nebraska. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and co-chair of the Democratic National Convention ’s rules committee.

Walz joined the Army National Guard after graduating high school in 1981 and also worked as a high school teacher and football coach. After retiring from the military in 2005, Walz represented Minnesota’s First Congressional District until he was inaugurated as governor in 2019. He was re-elected to the position in 2022.

Walz is known for being outspoken and has championed several hot-button issues, emphasizing his belief in reproductive rights , speaking out against book bans and supporting better childcare funding across Minnesota.

Legislation passed under Walz includes the legalization of cannabis, background checks for purchasing firearms , the Protection of Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, election law reform and the passing of the nation’s most significant child tax credit .

Contributing: Cy Neff, Maya Marchel Hoff, Olivia Munson and Margie Cullen, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Obama endorses Walz as Harris' VP pick: Read the former president's full statement