#Polymarket bettors believe there is a 46% chance Republican nominee Kamala Harris will take the White House from Democrat rival Donald Trump this election as the U.S. Vice President selects Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, according to multiple reports Tuesday morning. 

Walz's Appeal and Selection

Walz, who has served as Minnesota's governor since 2019, was among several prominent figures considered for the vice-presidential spot. Other contenders included Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Each of these candidates brought their unique strengths to the table, but ultimately, Walz's Midwestern roots and governance experience tipped the scales in his favor.

The decision comes amid a fluctuating landscape of speculation and betting within political circles. On Monday night, bettors on the decentralized prediction market platform Polymarket had given Shapiro a 57% chance of being Harris' choice, with Walz trailing at 40%. These odds have varied over the past few weeks, with other names like North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also in the mix.

Although Walz has not been particularly vocal about cryptocurrency, his tenure as governor saw Minnesota enacting legislation aimed at regulating cryptocurrency kiosks. This move, highlighted by the AARP, indicates a level of engagement with the burgeoning digital currency sector, which has become an increasingly significant topic in the political arena.

The cryptocurrency industry has gained considerable attention in recent months, particularly with the Republican Party's recent endorsement. The GOP's platform for the 2024 elections includes strong support for crypto firms and investors, pledging to halt what they describe as an "unlawful and un-American crackdown" on the U.S. crypto industry.

Kamala Harris Campaign Strategy

In response, Harris' team has begun to engage with the #crypto sector, especially after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection and endorsed Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee. 

To bolster her campaign's position on crypto, Harris recently added David Plouffe to her team. Plouffe, known for his strategic acumen, has a history of involvement with the crypto industry. He has served on the Binance Global Advisory Board and as a global strategic advisor for Alchemy Pay, a firm that bridges crypto and fiat currencies.

As the election season heats up, Harris' selection of Walz and her campaign's outreach to the crypto community signal a nuanced approach to addressing diverse voter interests. The combination of Walz's Midwestern appeal and Plouffe's crypto expertise could prove to be a formidable strategy in the race for the White House.