He does not like her choice.
Hispanic Evangelical leader Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and Robert Ketterling, a prominent pastor from Minnesota, have jointly criticized the choice of Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate. In a statement sent to The Christian Post, Ketterling, the founding pastor of River Valley Church in Minnesota, and Rodriguez, who leads the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference in California, labeled Walz’s selection as a “strategic miscalculation” that could jeopardize Harris’ campaign.
They outlined what they consider “five compelling reasons” for their concerns about Walz’s potential impact on Harris’ presidential bid. Their critique includes Walz’s association with a predominantly liberal state, his stance on immigration favoring open borders, his handling of the George Floyd protests in 2020, his COVID-19 lockdown policies, and his purported estrangement from more moderate voters.
Rodriguez and Ketterling argued that Walz’s selection could alienate independent and moderate voters crucial for winning key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina. They criticized Walz for supporting laws that restrict free speech for pastors, making disparaging remarks about conservatives, and advocating for socialist policies. They also pointed to his often contentious demeanor, which they believe further undermines his appeal to a wider electorate.
The pastors concluded that Kamala Harris’ choice of Walz represents a major error for a campaign that needs to build a diverse coalition of voters. They believe Walz’s alignment with liberal policies and his ineffective crisis management render him a liability rather than an asset.
On Tuesday morning, Kamala Harris announced Tim Walz as her running mate. Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, praised Walz for his commitment to working families, his tax cuts, and his achievements in securing paid family and medical leave.
Despite Walz’s occasional mentions of his faith, he does not often discuss it publicly. He attends Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul, which is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a denomination with a significant presence in Minnesota.
Political analysts have noted Walz’s affiliation with the ELCA, which represents about 11% of Minnesotans. David Searcy, a political science professor, observed that Walz could be the first member of the ELCA to hold a national executive office, and potentially the first Lutheran in such a role, depending on historical classifications.
Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief of The Federalist, highlighted concerns about Walz’s ELCA membership, describing it as a progressive denomination. She noted that the ELCA has been associated with progressive issues, including hosting events such as drag shows and promoting the “sparkle creed” in some congregations.