FLINT, Michigan — In his central Michigan town, Larry Safford is a familiar face.

An 85-year-old farmer, he’s a veteran, a former crime scene investigator, and a big fan of John Wayne. With his sweet corn and raspberry season winding down on his 20 acres, he finds himself surrounded by a mix of new and loyal customers. In the autumn, he gives away pumpkins to local children and clears snow for neighbors during winter.

In many respects, Safford embodies the classic Midwesterner: dependable, diligent, and generous. He told YSL News that his home region means unpredictable weather and football — but emphasized that not everyone is friendly.

Politically, Safford voted for Donald Trump in 2016. However, in 2020, he lost trust in the sitting president, believing he didn’t prioritize the American people, leading him to support Joe Biden. As we approach 2024, he’s eager to see Democratic nominee Kamala Harris run, finding her a promising alternative to the aging Biden.

Initially, Safford wasn’t very familiar with Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz. Though committed to voting for Democrats, he became interested after learning about Walz’s background — a Nebraska native from a farming family, with experiences as a teacher, football coach, and military veteran. Safford saw reflections of himself in the Minnesota governor.

“For me, it’s more about what they stand for than where they’re from,” he explained. Relying on a fixed income, Safford feels hopeful with someone in the White House who shares similar experiences to his own.

Walz, now a significant figure in the 2024 race, has crafted his public persona as the friendly, approachable “dad-next-door.” From visiting local fire stations and discussing labor union rights to sharing videos about car care and home maintenance with his daughter, he’s maintained this image well before joining the heated campaign for the presidency.

As a two-term governor of Minnesota, he emphasizes his working-class roots during campaign events, often sharing anecdotes about hunting, discussing his service in the Army National Guard, and promoting his Midwestern family values.

“Let’s be clear, we are nice people. We’ll help you out after a snowstorm. We’ll greet you in the store. Some of us might even let you merge on the highway – but not all of us,” Walz joked during a campaign stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this month.

He further remarked, “We have a saying, it’s called ‘Minnesota Nice,’ and I believe you have something similar here. Yet, let it be known, don’t confuse our kindness with weakness.”

Many Republicans view Walz merely as a supplement to Harris’ platform, suggesting he does not truly represent the working-class demographic. A spokesperson from the Michigan GOP recently criticized Walz, describing him as “a Midwesterner who hates the Midwest.”

“Michiganders won’t be misled by his gimmicky camouflage hat and staged antics,” said Victoria LaCivita, the GOP spokeswoman.

Despite the criticism, Harris’ choice to include Walz on her ticket appears to be beneficial for her campaign, outshining Trump’s selection of Ohio Senator JD Vance, based on a recent poll from the Detroit Free Press, a partner of YSL News Network. Another poll indicated a slight lead for the Harris-Walz team over Trump-Vance in Michigan, but with 15 crucial Electoral College votes at stake, the outcome will be decided in November.

On Tuesday, Walz faces Vance in a vice presidential debate in New York City, which will present a stark contrast to the friendly interactions he’s had on the campaign trail and back in Minnesota. He’ll need to defend himself against criticisms regarding his leadership during the unrest following George Floyd’s death and simultaneously support Harris’ policies and campaign initiatives.

As both candidates aim to capture the attention of undecided voters, their focus will be particularly on vital battleground states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Michigan in the coming month.

Strong Communicator, Weak Message

At a recent Trump town hall event in Flint, YSL News interviewed several attendees who, when probed about Walz, quickly avoided discussing the Minnesota governor’s campaign role and openly criticized the Democratic presidential candidate instead.

However, John Nagy, a 61-year-old attendee, shared with YSL News that Harris’s choice to select Walz as her running mate over other options, such as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, is significant.

“Selecting Walz while ignoring Shapiro, who is a popular Jewish American in a key swing state, speaks volumes,” Nagy expressed. “I believe Walz reflects the far-left aspects of her platform. She could have chosen a more centrist candidate.”

Nagy continued, “Shapiro’s Jewish background comes into play amidst rising antisemitism in the country, and choosing Walz is quite revealing. It seems to me that instead of moderating her stance, he has nudged her further left.”

During his campaign, Walz often asserts the phrase “mind your own damn business” as a rebuttal to Republican stances on various issues including abortion. However, Nagy argued that Walz’s policies in Minnesota—such as signing a law to protect LGBTQ+ literature in schools, providing menstrual products for all students, and safeguarding abortion rights—actually contradict the Midwestern values he claims to uphold.

Though both he and Walz share backgrounds as hunters and veterans, Nagy emphasized that this does not mean Walz embodies true Midwestern values.

“Working-class individuals simply want to earn a living and care for their families. Once you start imposing policies on how others should live versus what they wish to do, that detracts from your argument,” said Nagy, a Flint native and devoted Trump supporter.

Navigating the Middle Ground

For Bethann Sampson, a theater major in her third year at the University of Michigan-Flint, the economy is her top priority in this election cycle. She emphasized the importance of having leaders who truly grasp financial hardships. Growing up in Grand Blanc, a neighboring town of Flint, she believes Walz stands apart from other politicians who seem disconnected from everyday economic struggles.

“I get frustrated seeing people who have no clue about our current realities attempting to tell us how to resolve them,” the 20-year-old remarked.

Sampson views Walz as a potential break from the political norm due to his working-class roots and modest financial background. Balancing three jobs while being a full-time student herself, she sees Walz as someone relatable to average Americans.

“He embodies principles that resonate across the spectrum,” she noted.

After he joined Harris’s ticket, numerous internet memes about Walz’s relationship with his son gained popularity, with users joking about relatable traits and stories attributed to the father of two.

“I think many in the younger generation can identify with him as a father figure,” Sampson observed. “He’s supportive of gun rights, yet he seems to understand the need for reforms.”

In 2023, Walz approved laws for universal background checks and a ‘red flag’ provision in Minnesota, empowering authorities to act when individuals pose risks of harming themselves or others. As a white, older male hunter who has successfully advocated for reforms, Sampson believes Walz is well-positioned to effectively communicate the need for federal regulations.

Nevertheless, Walz has faced criticism for these very changes and his evolving stance on firearms, shifting from an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association to an “F.”

This occurred in 2017, following the most tragic mass shooting in recent times at a music event in Las Vegas.

During his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Walz spoke about the differences regarding gun control.

“I understand guns. I am a veteran and a hunter. I can shoot better than many Republicans in Congress, and I have the awards to prove it,” Walz stated in August. “But as a father, my priority is to ensure our children are safe while still believing in the Second Amendment.”

‘The cycle of kindness’

As the chosen VP candidate, Walz has been actively campaigning in key states like Michigan. Recently, he visited East Lansing and Grand Rapids and is preparing for the VP debate while staying in the quaint resort town of Harbor Springs.

On Saturday, he was in Ann Arbor attending the football game between the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.

“Tim is the person you’d enjoy tailgating with or the one who’d fight for your side, because he’s a cheerful warrior,” said Michigan’s Democratic Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, speaking to YSL News. She emphasized that Walz’s ability to connect with voters, especially in pivotal states, is crucial for a tight election.

“He is relatable, ensures his presence, and has a great sense of humor,” added Whitmer, who has served as governor for two terms and was previously speculated to be a potential running mate for Harris before opting out. “He fights for issues that truly matter.”

Walz’s personality traits resonate with Johnny Williams, a 71-year-old dishwasher with a strong Southern drawl but identifies as a true Midwesterner. Although originally from Georgia and after years of traveling across the country, Williams found a deep sense of community when he settled in Ann Arbor, as well as a love for Midwest football.

Having spent most of his life in food service, Williams shared with YSL News that he has witnessed both the positive and negative aspects of human behavior while working at the 24-hour Fleetwood Diner. However, he noted that his experiences have only strengthened his appreciation for the country.

“Every day presents a new challenge,” Williams remarked. “This implies that regardless of differing opinions, it’s possible to find common ground.”

Williams expressed that he is not worried about whether the kind-hearted Walz will make it through the presidential race to Washington, D.C. He believes that being kind can lead to great success, and that Walz carries positive energy with him.

“He will persevere,” Williams stated. “What goes around, comes around.”