“How a Historic Visit to a Minnesota Abortion Clinic Sparked a Vice Presidential Connection”
The origins of a presidential ticket took an unexpected turn six months ago at a Minnesota abortion clinic. This visit was a historic one for Vice President Kamala Harris, as no sitting president or vice president had ever publicly visited such a facility. The visit served as a key moment for Harris to connect with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has shown a strong interest in reproductive health—a priority for Harris during her time in the White House.
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Minnesota Abortion
Though he might not initially seem like an obvious advocate for reproductive issues, the 60-year-old Walz has demonstrated a commitment to expanding abortion access in Minnesota and is open about his family’s own fertility challenges. Walz has already energized audiences in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by sharing his daughter’s birth story, which was made possible through in vitro fertilization (IVF). His wife, Gwen, endured seven years of fertility treatments before their daughter was born, with one particularly emotional phone call marking the happy news of her pregnancy.
“It’s no accident that we named our daughter Hope,” Walz has shared with audiences, a sentiment he reiterated in Philadelphia and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The couple also has a son, Gus.
In his debut as Harris’ vice presidential pick, Walz rallied the crowd in Philadelphia with a pointed message to Republicans: “Even if we wouldn’t make the same choice for ourselves, there’s a golden rule: mind your own damn business,” he declared, drawing cheers from the audience. Harris, standing behind him, clapped in agreement. “Look, that includes IVF. And this gets personal for me and my family.”
Democrats have raised alarms about the potential impact of a Republican victory on access to birth control and fertility treatments. Concerns intensified after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling in February that classified frozen embryos as children, casting doubt on the future of fertility treatments in the state. Although the ruling faced backlash from both Democrats and Republicans, some conservatives supported it.
A recent AP-NORC poll shows that approximately 60% of Americans support protecting access to IVF, though opinions are more divided on banning the destruction of embryos created through IVF. About 40% are undecided on the issue, while one-third support a ban and a quarter oppose it.
Walz’s commitment to reproductive rights is not just a personal matter. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to remove the constitutional right to abortion, Walz signed a Minnesota law affirming a “fundamental right” to abortion and contraception. While some conservatives criticize this law as overly permissive, abortion rights advocates have welcomed Walz’s selection as Harris’ running mate.
