Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday appeared to double down on his support for abolishing the state’s electoral college, despite sharp criticism from Harris’ camp when he first called for a sweeping constitutional reform.
“Well, that’s not the campaign’s position. What I’m saying is that there are people who feel that every vote in every state has to be counted,” the Democratic vice presidential nominee said. He spoke on ABC News’ Good Morning America. host Michael Strahan said in an interview.
“And I think some people feel that’s not the case.”
At a campaign fundraising event on Tuesday night, the 60-year-old told attendees he supports deciding the presidential election by a national popular vote, saying, “We need to abolish the electoral college.” I think everyone knows that.”
The Harris-Waltz campaign quickly issued a statement later that night, clarifying that Walz’s comments do not reflect their position.
“The camp’s position is clear. It’s not their position,” Walz told Strahan. “Their position and my position is to make sure that everyone, no matter what state they are in, understands that their vote matters.
“I’ve talked about this in the past and she’s been very clear about this and about the campaign. My position is the campaign’s position.”
Not since George W. Bush in 2004 has a Republican candidate won a majority of the popular vote.
Democrats Al Gore and Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in 2000 and 2016 but lost in the all-important Electoral College.
“Governor Walz believes that every vote counts in the Electoral College and is honored to be traveling the country and battleground states to drum up support for Candidate Harris Walz.” a spokesperson for Walz told The New York Times.
“He was commenting to his many powerful supporters about how the campaign was being structured to win 270 electoral votes. I am grateful for their support.”
