Sen. JD Vance has picked another Minnesota politician to play the role of Gov. Tim Walz in practice sessions ahead of their televised vice presidential debate: U.S. Rep Tom Emmer.
The selection of Emmer was confirmed by a source familiar with the Republican candidate’s debate preparation. Emmer and his team have also spent the past month studying Walz’s past debates, his mannerisms and his policy positions, according to the source. The vice presidential debate will be held at Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. Central time in New York and can be watched on numerous TV stations and online.
Walz, who was elected to the U.S. House before running for governor, overlapped for a period with Emmer when they were both in Congress. Emmer is the House majority whip, which is the the third-highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives. He is also the Minnesota state chair of former President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will stand in as Vance in Walz’s debate preparation, according to a source familiar with the matter.
