Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate just before a rally in Philadelphia, sparking a viral moment involving a Harris supporter in a cat costume.
The supporter, Marnie Fowler, a 44-year-old from Philadelphia who works in concert touring, gained social media attention by donning a cat costume and holding a bucket of cat litter with the declaration, “I’m a childless cat lady.” Fowler’s outfit and slogan were a direct nod to GOP vice-presidential candidate JD Vance’s controversial remarks.
“I’m here to show support for Tim Walz,” Fowler said. “He’s America’s dad. Everything he’s done in Minnesota aligns with my values.”
In response to his selection, Walz took to X (formerly Twitter), expressing his gratitude for the nomination. He described it as “the honor of a lifetime” and likened the experience to the excitement of the first day of school. Walz also vowed his commitment to the campaign.

Reports suggest that Harris had narrowed her vice-presidential pick down to Walz and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Harris and Walz are set to make their first joint appearance at a campaign event in Philadelphia and will soon visit key battleground states.
During the announcement, Harris highlighted their diverse backgrounds—she hails from Oakland while Walz is from Nebraska—but emphasized their shared principles. “The promise of America allows two middle-class kids to make it all the way to the White House,” Harris noted. She praised Walz for his strong support of middle-class families and shared their vision on Instagram, stating, “We are going to build a great team. We are going to win this election.”
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Harris also used a sports analogy to compare her running mate’s experience to Vance’s, referring to their race as “a matchup between the varsity team and the JV squad.” She asserted that Walz would be “ready on day one.”
The selection of Walz has prompted mixed reactions. Some Democrats have hailed Walz as a capable political leader, while Republicans have criticized him as a radical, with the Trump campaign branding him a “dangerously liberal extremist.”