Washington, 6 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her vice presidential running mate, CNN and the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

Walz beat out Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania and Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky. Arizona Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly was also in the mix for the number two job.

The Harris-Walz Democratic ticket is set to face former Republican president Donald Trump and his vice presidential pick, JD Vance, in the November 5 contest for the White House.

With three months to go, this is Harris' first major decision since becoming her centre-left party's candidate. President Joe Biden ended his flailing bid for re-election in July and passed the baton to Harris.

Recent polls have shown the race between Harris and Trump is essentially neck and neck.

Photo: EPA