Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly narrowing down her shortlist of potential running mates to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the November election approaches. Harris aims to gain ground on former President Donald Trump and secure a victory in critical swing states.

Governor Walz has faced backlash from Minnesota Republicans primarily over his actions to protect gender-affirming care, which has become a central topic on GOP tickets. John Helmberger, the CEO of the Christian conservative group Minnesota Family Council, criticized Walz's executive order, arguing that it victimizes vulnerable young people.

In the lead-up to the nomination announcement, Governor Walz sparked Republican outrage after referring to "weird people on the other side" and criticizing Trump's laugh and apparent obsession with Hannibal Lecter as "weird." Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called the "weird" argument "dumb & juvenile," while Donald Trump Jr. responded by sharing a video of Harris with a drag queen in response to claims that Trump running mate JD Vance is "weird."

Former Obama strategist David Axelrod commended Walz for running an aggressive campaign for vice president. Sources close to Harris have also lauded Walz, stating that he is doing an exceptional job and possesses the Midwest grit along with appeal beyond the Midwest. They also mentioned that Walz is more aggressive than vice presidential hopeful Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.

Minnesota holds significant importance as a swing state for Harris in the upcoming election. It is one of the seven key states that Biden won in 2020, all of which are expected to be closely contested in 2024. The most recent Fox News poll indicates that Harris leads Trump in Minnesota by six points in a head-to-head match. The lead signifies a turnaround for the Democratic ticket in the state.

Harris is trailing behind Trump in four other swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Michigan and Pennsylvania are currently tied according to the Fox News poll. With endorsements from prominent Democrats such as former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Representative Nancy Pelosi, Harris has been able to solidify her support within the party.

Joe Biden's decision to end his reelection bid and endorse Harris as his successor has further propelled her candidacy. She quickly accumulated enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee following a rules change approved by the Democratic National Convention's rules panel.

As the race intensifies, Harris's focus on selecting a running mate who can help secure critical swing states such as Minnesota becomes crucial. The decision between Governor Shapiro and Governor Walz will play a significant role in Harris's strategy to gain momentum and appeal to voters in the Midwest and beyond.