REPORT: Tim Walz Alone Cost Kamala Harris A Crucial State

In the aftermath of one of the most contentious presidential elections in recent history, insiders are pointing fingers at a key figure they believe played a pivotal role in their defeat: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Throughout the campaign, Harris’s team struggled to unify the Democratic base, and cracks in the party’s coalition were apparent.

The Republican campaign, led by President-elect Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, seized on discontent with Walz’s record, portraying him as emblematic of the Democratic Party’s struggles; now, exit polls underscore that impact.

Harris’s choice of Walz, rather than Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, significantly alienated Jewish voters according to exclusive exit poll data from The New York Post. Although the ticket managed to secure the support of Jewish voters in Pennsylvania by a margin of 48% to 41% against Trump, the preference for Shapiro was clear.

A poll conducted by Honan Strategy Group for the Teach Coalition, a branch of the Jewish Orthodox Union, indicated that 53% of Jewish voters would have preferred Shapiro as vice president. With Shapiro on the ticket, support for Trump and Vance could have diminished to 38%.

Chicago, Illinois- August 21, 2024: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at the Democratic National Convention.

The decision to pass over Shapiro may have cost Kamala Harris crucial support in key battlegrounds. Harris lost Pennsylvania to Trump by a narrow margin of 2.1%—a gap that might have been bridged with Shapiro, who was particularly popular among Jewish voters and was reportedly targeted by an “ugly, antisemitic campaign,” according to The Post.

Approximately half of Jewish voters in New York and 43% in Pennsylvania indicated that the increase in antisemitism significantly influenced their voting decisions. Moreover, over 80% of Jewish voters in both states emphasized the importance of staying politically active and engaged in upcoming local, municipal, and state elections over the next two years. Harris’s performance among Jewish voters in New York was underwhelming as well; she failed to secure a majority in the traditionally Democratic strongholds.

Maury Litwack, founder and CEO of the Teach Coalition, highlighted the shift following October 7th. “In a post Oct. 7 world, the Jewish community’s vote is up for grabs more than ever before,” Litwack said. “It’s absolutely an erosion of Jewish voters for the Democratic Party. What’s driving this is the Jewish community’s feelings about antisemitism. The far-left has made anti-Israel activity a cornerstone. They have sway in the Democratic Party,” he explained. “This is a wake-up call for the Democratic Party in New York.”

Pennsylvania, a pivotal battleground state, has historically swung between parties. After supporting Democrats in six consecutive presidential elections, the state chose Trump in 2016. It reverted to the Democrats in 2020, contributing to Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. In 2024, Trump won with 50.5% of the total, securing 19 electoral votes. Kamala Harris garnered 48.6% of the vote.

For Democrats, the loss has prompted a period of soul-searching. Whether the party can rebuild its coalition in time for the next election cycle is an open question—and one that may determine its prospects for years to come.

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