Harris and Walz champion the Californication of America.

When you first glance at the headlines, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz might seem like the epitome of “folksy” and “Midwestern nice.” But let’s dig a bit deeper.

Walz has recently made headlines as the vice-presidential pick for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. The Democratic Party appears confident that his down-to-earth, relatable image will resonate with voters in the Midwest, potentially drawing them to the Democratic ticket in the upcoming November election.

However, a closer examination reveals that Walz may have more in common with Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist senator from Vermont, than his “nice guy” image suggests. As governor, Walz has been transparent about his progressive beliefs and has actively implemented them in Minnesota.

In a recent “White Dudes for Harris” fundraiser, Walz articulated his political philosophy by stating, “Don’t ever shy away from our progressive values. One person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness.”

It’s noteworthy to see who is most excited about Harris choosing Walz. Among his enthusiastic supporters are far-left “Squad” members like Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, as well as Bernie Sanders himself. However, the recent primary losses of Bowman and Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, both linked to their controversial positions on Israel, could signal trouble ahead for Walz.

In an effort to bolster support for Kamala Harris, some media outlets have even started to rewrite aspects of her political history, painting her in a more favorable light within the progressive movement.

Harris, originally from the progressive stronghold of California, earned the title of the most liberal U.S. Senator during her time in office. Now, with Walz by her side, it’s worth scrutinizing the impact of his governance.

Since Walz’s re-election in 2022, Minnesota has increasingly been compared to California, becoming what some are calling the “California of the Midwest.” With a unified blue state government, Walz has been able to enact a comprehensive liberal agenda, further solidifying Minnesota as a bastion of Democratic policies.

This transformation under Walz’s leadership raises questions about how his progressive agenda will play out on the national stage. Will it resonate with moderate voters, or could it push them away? As the election approaches, these are the critical issues that will shape the future of the Democratic campaign.