MINNEAPOLIS — Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz ate a pork chop on a stick and washed it down with a vanilla shake on Sunday while the Minnesota governor and his family visited the state fair in his home state.
Walz was joined by his wife Gwen and their daughter Hope, and with a security team behind him, as he kept an eye on the rows of food stalls offering all sorts of fairground treats, many of which were served on a stick.
“For those of you who aren’t from Minnesota, just to be clear, there are a lot of great state fairs in the country, this is the best,” Walz said. “I can say that after trying pork chops in Iowa.”
The annual 12-day fair is a chance for Minnesota farmers to showcase their produce. Walz highlighted the state’s agricultural industry as he toured booths with signs like “PUT SOME PORK ON YOUR FORK” and “#PORKPROUD.”
Cheering fairgoers crowded around to shake Walz’s hand and take pictures.
Walz acknowledged that his status as Kamala Harris’ running mate may have caused more disruption than usual at an already packed fairground in Falcon Heights, a Minneapolis suburb. But he said the increased attention gave him an opportunity to promote Minnesota’s economy and culture.
“I think people see that we’re talking about Minnesota across the country, about the economy here, about things like the state fair, about agriculture,” Walz said.
On Labor Day, Walz plans to meet with union leaders in Milwaukee.
