Marist Poll: 71 Percent of Americans Have Never Heard of Walz

Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., the newly minted running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, is a virtual unknown to almost three quarters of America, according to a NPR/PBS/Marist poll released Tuesday.

Harris selected Walz over other potential Democrat contenders Sen. Mark Kelly, R-Ariz., and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. The survey found Walz was viewed favorably by 17% of respondents, with 12% having an unfavorable opinion and a massive 71% have either never heard of Walz or were unsure how to assess him.

Both Shapiro and Kelly fared better when it came to voter’s familiarity. Only 52% never heard of Shapiro and 52% never heard of Kelly. By contrast, only 23% of American adults had never heard of Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio.