Published: 17:35, August 22, 2024 | Updated: 21:07, August 22, 2024
Minnesota's Tim Walz accepts VP nomination at Democratic National Convention
By Xinhua
Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024, in Chicago. (PHOTO / AP)

CHICAGO - US Minnesota Governor Tim Walz officially accepted the Democratic Party's vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) held here on Wednesday night.

"It's the honor of my life to accept your nomination for vice-president of the United States," Walz said in a speech on the third day of the party's national convention scheduled for Aug 19 to 22.

Walz, a former public school teacher, high school football coach, veteran, and six-term US House Representative, was elected governor of Minnesota in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

ALSO READ: Harris selected as Democratic presidential nominee

Former US President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave prime-time speeches. Influential talk show host Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the convention and delivered a powerful speech.

On Tuesday night, former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff gave prime-time speeches.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice-President Kamala Harris and running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appear at the Fiserv Forum during a campaign rally in Milwaukee, Tuesday, Aug 20, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

On the opening day of the DNC, both former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and United Auto Workers President Sean Fain gave prime-time speeches. President Joe Biden, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of delegates, closed the night of the first day by delivering a nearly hourlong keynote speech.

READ MORE: US Democratic National Convention kicks off amid pro-Palestinian protests

On Monday, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched near the venue to express their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration's Israel policy, with at least four being arrested after breaching a security fence although the vast majority of the demonstration proceeded peacefully.

On Tuesday night, dozens of people were arrested after clashing with police during an unauthorized protest outside the Israeli Consulate in downtown Chicago.

Vice-President Kamala Harris, who has already won enough delegates to become the Democratic presidential nominee in a virtual roll call vote earlier this month, is expected to officially accept the Democratic Party's presidential nomination on Thursday night.

ALSO READ: Trump signals interest in influencing Fed decisions if he regains White House

As Democrats gather for the convention, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, has been holding campaign rallies in multiple states this week, including key swing states Michigan and North Carolina.

In the key swing states that could decide the results of the election, the race between the two remains tight. According to the latest poll data compiled by Real Clear Politics, Harris leads Trump by 1.0 percentage points in Wisconsin and by 2.0 percentage points in Michigan. In Pennsylvania, Harris trails by 0.2 percentage points.