Hillary Clinton, the U.S Democratic presumptive nominee, on Friday, July 22, 2016, picked Tim Kaine, a popular Spanish-speaking senator from the state of Virginia, to be her running mate in the White House showdown against Donald Trump.
“I’m thrilled to announce my running mate, @timkaine, a man who’s devoted his life to fighting for others. -H,” she tweeted.
The 58-year-old senator swiftly tweeted his response, saying: “Just got off the phone with Hillary. I’m honored to be her running mate. Can’t wait to hit the trail tomorrow in Miami!”
Kaine, who has experience in foreign policy and also serves in the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, could help Clinton bring in two key voting blocs; Hispanics and the swing state of Virginia.
The senator is also seen as helping the former secretary of state win over votes from reluctant independent male voters.
Widely seen as a safe choice for Clinton in a fierce election race, Kaine emerged as a front runner in the veep stakes because of his experience on matters of defense and foreign policy.
Clinton, in a series of tweets, highlighted the senator’s qualities.
“@timkaine is a relentless optimist who believes no problem is unsolvable if you put in the work to solve it,” Clinton wrote.
“@timkaine’s guiding principle: the belief that you can make a difference through public service.”
One of the tweets included a five-point graphic highlighting the senator’s youthful spell on a Jesuit mission in Honduras as well as his track record in fighting homelessness, discrimination and gun violence, in expanding early childhood education and in fostering a positive business environment in Virginia.
The pick comes just days before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where Clinton, and now Kaine, are to be elevated as the nominees to the party’s presidential ticket.
