Donald J. Trump’s running mate invited Representative Tom Emmer to stand in for his fellow Minnesotan, Gov. Tim Walz, ahead of the vice-presidential debate next month.
Senator JD Vance of Ohio has recruited Representative Tom Emmer to help prepare for his debate next week with Gov. Tim Walz, enlisting a Minnesota Republican to play the role of a Minnesota Democrat.
Mr. Vance has spent much of the past month reviewing debate plans and strategies with his team to prepare for his matchup with Mr. Walz. Donald J. Trump’s running mate is facing Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate for their first televised debate in New York City at 9 p.m. on Oct. 1.
The Republican preparations have taken place at Mr. Vance’s home in Cincinnati and in online sessions with members of his own inner circle and Jason Miller, a Trump campaign strategist. Mr. Vance’s team also pointed to his frequent media interactions on the campaign trail as helpful prep for the debate spotlight. Mr. Vance has offered a potential preview of his debate strategy by repeatedly questioning Mr. Walz over his military service and attacking him as an out-of-touch liberal.
Mr. Vance invited Mr. Emmer to join the final stretch of preparations by standing in for his fellow Minnesotan, according to two people familiar with the planning.
The selection of Mr. Emmer was aimed at helping Mr. Vance prepare for Mr. Walz’s folksy style, the people said. Mr. Emmer has been preparing for the role by immersing himself in Mr. Walz’s past debates and policy positions.
Mr. Walz, who represented a House district in Minnesota before running for governor in 2018, overlapped with Mr. Emmer for several terms in Congress. Both Minnesotans are in their early 60s, more than two decades older than Mr. Vance, who turned 40 last month. Mr. Emmer is a member of Republican leadership in the House and is a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
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