Tim Walz officially accepts nomination for US vice president at Democratic National Convention

HOUSTON, US

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz officially accepted the nomination for US vice president at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois late Wednesday.

On the biggest stage of his political career, Walz touted his accomplishments for the people who elected him to office in his home state.

"We cut taxes for the middle class. We passed paid family and medical leave. We invested in fighting crime and affordable housing," said Walz, who emphasized affordability for America's middle-class families.

"We cut the cost of prescription drugs and helped people escape the kind of medical debt that nearly sank my family, and we made sure that every kid in our state gets breakfast and lunch every day."

A former member of the Army National Guard for 24 years and a high school social studies teacher, Walz was elected as a Congressman, where he served in the US House of Representatives for 12 years before becoming the governor of Minnesota.

Walz portrayed himself as a common man, a good neighbor, and someone who fights for the people. He said that while "other states were banning books from their schools, we were banishing hunger from ours."

He also dove headfirst into the volatile topic of abortion, in which Democrats and Republicans are deeply divided, and emphasized that Americans should have the "freedom to make your own health care decisions."

"We also protected reproductive freedom, because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make, and even if we would make those same choices for ourselves, we've got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business," he said.

Walz, an avid hunter and proponent of the Constitution's Second Amendment right to bear arms, also made a firm stance on tightening federal gun control laws, emphasizing that all kids should have the "freedom to go to school without worrying about being shot dead in the hall."

"I know guns. I'm a veteran. I'm a hunter, and I was a better shot than most Republicans in Congress, and I got the trophies to prove it," he said. "But I'm also a dad. I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe."

Walz touted himself and Harris as being advocates for the average American, clearly separating themselves from their Republican opponents, former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance.

"If these guys get back in the White House, they'll start jacking up the costs on the middle class, they'll repeal the Affordable Care Act, they'll gut social security, Medicare, and they will ban abortion across this country, with or without Congress," he said.

Walz ended the night by urging Democrats and Independents alike to vote for the Harris-Walz ticket come the Nov. 5 presidential election.

"That's how we'll turn the page on Donald Trump. That's how we'll build a country where workers come first, health care and housing are human rights, and the government stays the hell out of your bedroom," he said.

That's how we make America a place where no child is left hungry, where no community is left behind, where nobody gets told they don't belong," he added. "That's how we're gonna fight."