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US Democratic Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton has picked Tim Kaine, a popular Spanish-speaking senator from the swing state of Virginia, as her running mate in the White House showdown against Donald Trump.
Clinton’s choice comes three days before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where she and Kaine will be formally nominated as the party’s flagbearers.
“I’m thrilled to announce my running mate, @timkaine, a man who’s devoted his life to fighting for others. -H,” the former secretary of state tweeted.
And Kaine tweeted:
“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!”
An experienced foreign policy hand who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, Kaine, 58, could help Clinton lock in two key voting blocs: Hispanics and the battleground state of Virginia.
Politically a center-left Democrat, with working-class roots and a spotless record both as governor and senator, he is also seen as helping Clinton win over votes from reluctant independent male voters — although at risk of alienating the party’s progressive left wing.
The pair will hit the campaign trail together in Florida on Saturday.