Pete Buttigieg Is Playing JD Vance During Tim Walz’s Debate Prep

Tim Walz enlisted the help of Pete Buttigieg as he prepares for the vice-presidential debate on Oct. 1. The Transportation Secretary is reportedly serving as JD Vance’s stand-in during policy sessions and mock debates on the campaign trail.

Buttigieg, now reprising his role as opposing veep candidate, stood in for Mike Pence during Kamala Harris’ practice sessions leading up to the 2020 election. The former South Bend, Indiana mayor’s on-stage persona this time around happens to be as a fellow Midwesterner.

On Wednesday, Walz, clad in cargo-pants and drinking Mountain Dew, met up with Buttigieg at a Minneapolis hotel to prepare for the October event. The duo, however, have yet to hold a full 90-minute mock debate, but are expected to do so closer to the New York City face off hosted by CBS News. The in-person meeting was the first of its kind, as Buttigieg previously assisted via video calls.

Read more at The Daily Beast.