Aug 7 (Reuters) - Democratic contender Kamala Harris will join forces with her newly announced running mate, Tim Walz, on Wednesday for campaign events in two key battleground states, Wisconsin and Michigan, setting an early stage to showcase Walz’s Midwestern roots and political experience.

The trip includes major stops in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Detroit, Michigan, marking Walz's first official appearances as Harris’s vice-presidential pick. Walz, Minnesota's governor, was tapped on Tuesday, a high-stakes decision in Harris’s freshly-launched White House bid that has energized the Democratic base and altered the race's dynamic.

Walz, who brings military and educational experience as an Army National Guard veteran and former high school teacher, adds regional diversity to Harris's California-led ticket. His selection is seen as a strategic move to strengthen appeal in the Midwest, a region critical for success in the upcoming November 5th election.

As a former congressman who managed to win in a Republican-leaning district, Walz comes with a track record of resonating with white, rural voters—a demographic that has leaned toward Trump, the Republican nominee this election cycle.

Both Wisconsin and Michigan are seen as pivotal to the Democratic path to the presidency in 2024. Their importance was underscored after Hillary Clinton’s loss in these states in 2016 contributed to Trump’s victory.

Although Joe Biden secured both states for the Democrats in 2020, his recent polling in Michigan had shown a tight contest prior to his exit from the race last month. Michigan’s influential Arab and Muslim American communities have expressed dissatisfaction with his administration’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, which escalated following the October 7 attacks.

Meanwhile, Republican vice-presidential nominee Senator JD Vance is set to deliver remarks in Eau Claire on Wednesday, shadowing Harris and Walz during their tour across critical states this week.

Harris and Walz have planned to visit over six battleground states throughout the campaign, with the intent of nationally introducing Walz, whose reputation doesn’t extend far beyond Minnesota.

At their first joint rally held in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, Harris emphasized the importance of Walz’s hometown roots. She praised his career as a high school social studies teacher, football coach, and member of the National Guard.

Walz, praised for his accessible and down-to-earth demeanor, nonetheless launched sharp attacks against Trump and Vance during his speech, reinforcing his viral criticism of them as "weird" and condemning their stances on abortion, law enforcement, and economic issues.

Harris’s ascension to the top of the Democratic ticket just two weeks ago has stirred a significant shift in the race. Polls now indicate that she has erased the lead Trump had accumulated amid Biden’s campaign struggles, while a rejuvenated Democratic base has fueled her effort with a surge in contributions.

In fact, the Harris campaign reported it raised over $20 million on Tuesday alone, shortly after revealing Walz as the vice-presidential pick.

Trump and Vance were quick to characterize Walz as overly liberal, extending their long-standing criticism of Harris.

"This is the most radical Left pairing in American history," Trump remarked via his social media platform.

During a media event in Philadelphia, just hours before Walz's campaign introduction, Vance zeroed in on Walz’s response following the 2020 unrest after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer.

"The issue isn’t really Tim Walz. It’s what his selection reveals about Kamala Harris—that she’ll cater to the extreme elements of her party when given the choice," Vance asserted.

Since his election as governor in 2018, Walz has pushed through various progressive measures, including programs for free school meals, climate change efforts, middle-class tax cuts, and expanded paid leave for workers.

Harris had vetted numerous potential running mates, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, whose candidacy was favored by some Democrats due to Pennsylvania’s significance in the upcoming November election.