TAMPA, Fla. — Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine debuted as a presidential ticket in the crucial battleground state of Florida as they head toward next week’s Democratic Party convention.
They made an appearance together on Saturday afternoon at Miami’s Florida International University.
Clinton ended a months-long search for a running mate with a Friday evening phone call to the Virginia senator. Long viewed as a likely choice, Kaine is a fluent Spanish speaker with a reputation for working with Republicans.
Kaine’s selection completes the line-up for the general election in November. Clinton and Kaine will face Republican Donald Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence, the Indiana governor.
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement praising Clinton’s choice:
"Naming a vice president is the biggest decision a presidential candidate makes and Hillary Clinton nailed it. Tim is a good friend and I know he'll make an incredible governing partner. I've sat next to Tim on the Foreign Relations Committee for the last four years, and I know firsthand there is no one more ready to help lead this country and keep us safe. But what impresses me most about Tim is how he approaches his work each and every day. Tim's combination of humility, courage, and work ethic is rare in politics these days. He's a guy who remembers why he entered public service in the first place and you just know he is doing what he believes is the right thing to do for the people he serves. We've come a long way in these last eight years under the leadership of President Obama, but we must build on that progress. I know that together, Hillary and Tim will continue fighting to build an economy that works for everyone - not just those at the top."
