Emmer playing Walz in Vance debate prep

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) is turning to another Minnesotan to play the role of Gov. Tim Walz (D) in preparation for next week’s vice presidential debate.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), a member of House GOP leadership, is assisting with Vance’s debate prep and is standing in for Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, two sources familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill.

Emmer hails from the same state as Walz, and The New York Times reported the pick was made partly because the congressman can emulate Walz’s “folksy style.” Emmer and Walz overlapped in Congress for several years before Walz ran for governor.

The GOP congressman previously ran for Speaker last fall as Republicans searched for a replacement for Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), but his bid was tanked in part by former President Trump, who bashed Emmer as a “Globalist RINO.”

Vance and Walz will square off in the lone vice presidential debate on Oct. 1, hosted by CBS News.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is playing the role of Vance in Walz’s preparations. He is doing so in his personal capacity, a source familiar told The Hill.

Vance has repeatedly attacked Walz’s military service, accusing the governor of stolen valor and having misrepresented his time in the Army National Guard.

Walz spent two dozen years in the Army National Guard and didn’t see combat. He left to run for Congress before his unit was deployed, and those who served with him said the group didn’t know they’d be leaving at the time of his retirement.

Caroline Vakil and Alex Gangitano contributed.