Walz accepts Democratic vice presidential nomination at party convention, 'honor of my life'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage Wednesday on the third night of the Democratic National Convention to accept the party's vice presidential nomination, calling the role "the honor of my life."

"Thank you first to Vice President Kamala Harris. Thank you for putting your trust in me," said Walz to a cheering crowd at the United Center in Chicago. "It's the honor of my life to accept the nomination for the vice president of the United States."

Wednesday night's speech was the biggest moment so far in Walz’s unexpected rise to become the nominee, picked by Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, just 15 days ago, after President Biden ended his reelection bid on July 21, then backed Harris.

Walz’s title now as vice presidential nominee adds to his lengthy resume that includes high school teacher, coach, National Guardsman, congressman and governor.

"We've got something better to offer," Walz said in his criticism of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and running-mate JD Vance, whose agenda, he said, Americans don't want.

"Kamala Harris is experience. Kamala Harris is ready," he said in his brief, roughly 20-minute speech. "We've got 76 days" until Election Day.

He rounded out the speech with a football analogy.

"It's the fourth quarter, we're down a field goal. But we're on offense and we've got the ball," he said. "We're driving down the field. And boy, do we have the right team to win this. Kamala Harris is tough. She’s experienced. And she’s ready. Our job is to get in the trenches and do the blocking and tackling."

Harris is set to formally accept the nomination for president on Thursday evening.