Who is Tim Kaine?

07-22-2016

For Hillary Clinton, picking Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine to be her running mate was a smart choice.

Most importantly for Clinton, Kaine hails from a purple battleground state and brings with him the potential of the Old Dominion’s 13 electoral vote.

But that’s just the beginning… Kaine brings a folksy charm that softens Clinton’s harsh edges. He comes off as agreeable even when he’s disagreeing. In Virginia, he's very popular among Democrats - even many conservative Republicans respect him and think he’s a good guy (even though they don’t and won’t vote for him). Kaine is liberal to be sure, but not as liberal as some of the contenders in Clinton's Veepstake.

The 58 year old is originally from Minnesota and maintained his Midwest charm, but considers Virginia home. It’s where he’s served as an elected official for nearly 20 years starting as mayor of Richmond in 1998. From there he was elected lieutenant governor before winning the governor’s mansion. He also served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee before winning the U.S. Senate seat that he currently holds.

Kaine attended Harvard Law, but took a year off to serve as a missionary in Honduras. It’s an experience that had a profound impact on him and reignited his Roman Catholic faith.

While attending Harvard Law School, Kaine met his wife, Anne Holton, who is a former judge and currently serves as Virginia’s secretary of education. She’s also the daughter of former Republican Gov. Linwood Holton, who in the 70s helped integrate Virginia’s public schools.

Nine years ago Kaine made history by becoming the first governor to step out in faith and endorse then presidential candidate Barack Obama. It was a historic moment as the governor of Virginia stood with the future first black president in the shadow of the confederate capitol. I was there that day and know Tim Kaine well. I covered him daily as a statehouse reporter in Richmond while he was governor.

At that time, Kaine was on Obama’s short list for vice president. When it got close to Obama’s decision time, I remember waiting with other reporters for him to leave the governor’s mansion. He surprised everyone by emerging from underground some 200 yards away where his security detail was waiting with a vehicle. Kaine had escaped through a secret tunnel under Capitol Square to avoid the press.

For Clinton, Kaine could be considered a bit of a lucky charm (if you believe in such things) because Tim Kaine has NEVER lost an election.

-Jennifer Wishon

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