2024 Presidential Campaign Blog

President Joe Biden to Travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, May 1, 2022

President Joe Biden to Travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota

On Sunday, May 1, the President will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

DNC on the Passing of Former Vice President Mondale

DNC on the Passing of Former Vice President Mondale

In response to the passing of former Vice President Walter Mondale, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement:

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of former Vice President Walter Mondale. He was a true public servant and a trailblazer of the Democratic Party. He revolutionized the role of the vice presidency, and his leadership in fighting poverty impacted countless Americans and made our nation stronger. My thoughts are with his family and friends. His legacy and beautiful spirit will live on in us all.”

Republican Party of Minnesota (MN GOP) Statement on Passing of Walter Mondale

MN GOP Statement on Passing of Walter Mondale

MINNEAPOLIS – Republican Party of Minnesota Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan released the following statement:

"Tonight we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Walter Mondale.

"While the country may remember Mondale as a longtime senator from our state or President Jimmy Carter’s Vice President, Minnesotans also know him as a kind and selfless family man as well as champion of higher education and the arts here in Minnesota along with his wife Joan.

"In spite of our obvious political differences, there is no denying that Mondale always had the best interests of his fellow Minnesotans at the forefront of his mind when governing and leading.

"Our thoughts are with the entire Mondale family as we mourn his loss."

Statement from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on the Passing of Walter Mondale

Statement from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on the Passing of Walter Mondale

It’s with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of Vice President Walter Mondale, but great gratitude that we were able to call one of our nation’s most dedicated patriots and public servants a dear friend and mentor.

Jill and I had the opportunity to speak to Fritz and his family over the weekend, to reflect on the years of friendship we shared, and how much we learned from and leaned on each other.

When I arrived in the United States Senate in 1973, Walter Mondale was one of the first people to greet me. Through his work as a Senator, he showed me what was possible. He may have been modest and unassuming in manner, but he was unwavering in his pursuit of progress; instrumental in passing laws like the Fair Housing Act to prevent racial discrimination in housing, Title IX to provide more opportunities for women, and laws to protect our environment. There have been few senators, before or since, who commanded such universal respect.

When President Obama asked me to consider being his Vice President, Fritz was my first call and trusted guide. He not only took my call, he wrote me a memo. It was Walter Mondale who defined the vice presidency as a full partnership, and helped provide a model for my service.

And Joan did the same for Jill, helping her carve out a role for herself as our nation’s Second Lady.

He not only created a path for himself, he helped others do the same. Walter Mondale was the first presidential nominee of either party to select a woman as his running mate, and I know how pleased he was to be able to see Kamala Harris become Vice President.

In accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for President, he described the values he was taught to live by: “to play by the rules; to tell the truth; to obey the law; to care for others; to love our country; to cherish our faith.”

As a Senator, an Ambassador, a Vice President, and a candidate for President, he lived and spread those values.

Our hearts go out to the Mondale family. And we take some comfort in the fact that he is with Joan and Eleanor now.
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Vice President Kamala Harris Statement on the Passing of Vice President Walter Mondale

Vice President Kamala Harris Statement on the Passing of Vice President Walter Mondale

Vice President Walter Mondale led an extraordinary life of service. He defended our nation as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War, and he protected our Constitution as Minnesota’s Attorney General. As United States Senator, he fought for equal justice—working tirelessly to ban discrimination in housing and to build the Great Society.

Under President Jimmy Carter, Vice President Mondale transformed the Office of the Vice President. He brought the President and the Vice President closer together, re-defining the relationship as a true partnership. Vice President Mondale worked side by side with President Carter as the two endeavored to end the arms race, promote human rights, and establish peace.

When he won the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1984, Vice President Mondale made a bold and historic choice. He selected Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate—the first woman to be nominated as Vice President on a major party ticket in American history. With that nomination, Vice President Mondale opened “a new door to the future,” to borrow his words.

Vice President Mondale was so generous with his wit and wisdom over the years. I was able to speak with him just a few days ago and thank him for his service and his steadfastness. I will miss him dearly, and my heart is with his family today. I hope they find comfort in knowing that he is with his beloved wife, Joan, and daughter, Eleanor, now—and that his legacy will live on in all of us.

Each time I open my desk drawer and see his signature there, alongside the signatures of 11 other Vice Presidents, I will be reminded of and grateful for Vice President Mondale’s life of service.