Tim Walz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tim Walz
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Walz in 2024
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| 41st Governor of Minnesota | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 |
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| Lieutenant | Peggy Flanagan |
| Preceded by | Mark Dayton |
| Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee |
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| In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Mark Takano (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Phil Roe |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Gil Gutknecht |
| Succeeded by | Jim Hagedorn |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Timothy James Walz
April 6, 1964 West Point, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse |
Gwen Whipple
(m. 1994) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | Governor's Residence Eastcliff Mansion |
| Education |
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| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |
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| Years of service | 1981–2005 |
| Rank | Command sergeant major |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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Timothy James Walz (born April 6, 1964) is an American politician. He has been the 41st governor of Minnesota since 2019. Before that, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019. In the House, he was the main leader (called the ranking member) for the House Veterans Affairs Committee from 2017 to 2019. Walz was also the Democratic candidate for vice president in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska. After high school, he joined the Army National Guard and worked in a factory. He later earned a teaching degree from Chadron State College in Nebraska. In 1996, he moved to Minnesota. Before becoming a politician, he taught social studies and coached football in Mankato. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Minnesota's 1st congressional district in 2006. He won against a Republican who had served six terms. Walz was reelected five times. He left Congress in 2019 after being elected governor. He represented a large, mostly rural area in southern Minnesota.
Walz was elected governor of Minnesota on November 6, 2018. He defeated Jeff Johnson, the Republican candidate. He was reelected in the 2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election, winning against Scott Jensen. As governor, Walz has been praised for new laws about state roads and bridges, environmental protection, and changes to taxes. He also supported free school meals and gun background checks.
On August 6, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris chose Walz to be her running mate. They ran together in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. However, they were defeated by the Republican candidates, Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Timothy James Walz was born on April 6, 1964. His birthplace was West Point, Nebraska. His mother, Darlene Rose Reiman, was a homemaker. His father, James F. Walz, was a school administrator. Walz grew up in Valentine, Nebraska, with his three siblings. It was a small town in the state's northwest.
When Walz was in high school, his father got sick. His family moved to Butte, Nebraska, in his second year of high school. This move brought them closer to their relatives. Walz finished high school at Butte High School in 1982. There were only 25 students in his graduating class. The next year, his father passed away.
In 1989, Walz earned a degree in social science education. He got this degree from Chadron State College. Later, in 2001, he earned a master's degree. This was in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Career Journey
Teaching Career
After high school, Walz worked in factories. He also served in the Army National Guard. He then went to college to become a teacher, like his father. After graduating from Chadron State College, he taught for a year in China. He did this through a program called WorldTeach.
When he returned, Walz taught and coached in Alliance, Nebraska. There, he met Gwen Whipple, who was also a teacher. They got married in 1994. Two years later, they moved to Mankato in Minnesota. This was Gwen's home state. Walz became a geography teacher and coach at Mankato West High School. He coached the football team to win its first state championship in 1999. Walz and his wife also ran a company. It was called Educational Travel Adventures. They organized summer trips for high school students to China.
Military Service
Walz joined the Army National Guard when he was 17. His father encouraged him to join. His father had served in the Korean War. He used the G.I. Bill to pay for his own education. He wanted Walz to have the same chance.
Walz served in the National Guard for 24 years. He joined in 1981. During his time, he was stationed in many places. These included Arkansas, Texas, and New Ulm, Minnesota. He also trained in heavy artillery. He helped with disaster relief after floods and tornadoes. He was also sent overseas for several months. In 1989, he was named Nebraska Citizen-Soldier of the Year. After the 9/11 attacks, he was sent to Europe. He supported Operation Enduring Freedom for six months. He received several awards. These included the Army Commendation Medal and two Army Achievement Medals. Walz reached the rank of command sergeant major. He retired as a master sergeant in 2005.
Serving in Congress
Elections to Congress
Walz volunteered for John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004. Soon after, he became a campaign leader for his county. He also helped with a group called Vets for Kerry. In 2005, Walz took a course at Camp Wellstone. This program helps people learn about campaigns and elections. Walz then announced he would run for Congress in 2006. He had no opponents for his party's nomination.
He won against the Republican leader, Gil Gutknecht, on November 7. Walz started his job on January 3, 2007. After he won, a newspaper said Gutknecht was "caught off guard." It also said Walz made sure he wouldn't be. Walz presented himself as a moderate politician. He focused on helping people in his area. He also became a strong supporter for veterans.
Walz was reelected in 2008 with 62% of the votes. He was only the second non-Republican to win a second term in his district. He won a third term in 2010. He defeated Randy Demmer, a state representative. He was reelected again in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
Time in Congress
When Walz started in Congress, he became the highest-ranking retired enlisted soldier to serve there. He was also only the fourth Democrat from Minnesota to represent his district. Walz served on important committees. These included the House Agriculture Committee and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He also served on the Armed Services Committee.
Walz worked with another Minnesota Democrat, Keith Ellison. They both disagreed with President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq. In his first week, Walz helped create a bill to raise the minimum wage. He also voted for stem cell research. He supported allowing Medicare to negotiate medicine prices. He also wanted new spending to not add to the national debt.
Walz represented a district that often voted Republican. But his political views were seen as moderate to liberal. He voted to move the Affordable Care Act forward in the House. He also voted to continue funding military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2013, the Air Force Sergeants Association named him "legislator of the year." Walz was known for working with both political parties. He was ranked as one of the most bipartisan House members in 2016.
Committee Roles
- Committee on Agriculture
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs (he was the main leader in 2017-2019)
Governor of Minnesota
Gubernatorial Elections
2018 Election
Walz announced he would run for governor. This was after Mark Dayton, the current Democratic governor, decided not to run again. On November 6, 2018, Walz was elected governor. He won against Jeff Johnson, the Republican candidate.
2022 Election
Walz ran for reelection in 2022. He won his party's primary election on August 9. He then faced Republican candidate Scott Jensen in the November general election. On November 8, 2022, Walz defeated Jensen. He won with 52.3% of the votes.
Time as Governor
Walz became governor of Minnesota on January 7, 2019. The ceremony took place at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul. Walz took his oath of office with other elected officials. These included Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. In his speech, Walz talked about improving education and healthcare.
2023 Legislative Session
The 93rd Minnesota Legislature met from January to May 2023. This was the first time in a decade that Democrats fully controlled the state government. They passed many important new laws. These included requiring paid leave for workers. They also banned noncompete agreements. There was more money for roads, bridges, and environmental projects. Tax laws were changed. They also made free school meals available to all students. And they passed laws for universal gun background checks.
A major newspaper called this session "one of the most consequential" in Minnesota's history. Walz called it the "most productive session." Walz signed almost all the bills passed. However, he did veto one bill. This bill aimed to increase pay for rideshare drivers. It was his first veto as governor. He said it didn't find the right balance.
2024 Vice-Presidential Campaign
On July 22, 2024, Walz supported Vice President Kamala Harris. This was after President Joe Biden decided not to run again. Harris chose Walz as her running mate on August 6. His selection was praised by politicians from different parties. These included progressive Democrats and moderate Republicans.
After they lost the election, Walz said in March 2025 that the Harris campaign "played it too safe."
Political Views
Economic Issues
During the economic crisis in 2008, Walz spoke out. He did not want to use taxpayer money to help big banks. In September, he voted against a $700 billion bill. This bill would have bought bad assets from financial companies. Walz said the bill did not do enough to help regular homeowners. He also wanted more oversight of Wall Street. For similar reasons, he voted against a bill in December 2008. This bill offered $14 billion in government loans to help car makers.
Walz did vote to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This was an economic stimulus bill. As a member of the House Transportation Committee, Walz saw this bill as a chance. He wanted to create jobs by investing in roads, bridges, and clean energy. Walz focused a lot on jobs and economic issues. These were important to his southern Minnesota district. It has big employers like the Mayo Clinic and many small businesses and farms.
In July 2009, he voted for a bill to help small businesses. He said it would create jobs by encouraging new technology. Walz also pushed for help for hog and dairy farmers. They faced low prices for their products in 2008 and 2009.
Education
Walz was a public school teacher for 20 years. He does not support paying teachers based on how well their students perform. When he voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Walz noted its strong support for public school buildings. He also supports laws to lower college tuition costs. In a speech in 2009, he said that giving children the best education is key. This ensures a strong future for America's economy.
Guns
When he was in Congress, Walz strongly supported gun rights. The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) supported him many times. They gave him a high rating.
Labor and Workers' Rights
In 2023, Walz signed a new law. It banned meetings where employers force workers to listen to anti-union messages. It also banned non-compete clauses. These clauses stop workers from joining a competing company. The law also made paid sick leave a requirement for employees. It increased safety checks in workplaces. It added rules to prevent injuries for workers in warehouses, meatpacking plants, and healthcare. The law also gave construction workers better protection against wage theft.
Veterans' Issues
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Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard. As a new member of Congress, he was given a rare third committee role. He was assigned to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Since 2007, Walz has worked to improve benefits for veterans. In May 2007, the House passed his bill. It created five centers to study brain injuries in veterans. These centers would also find better ways to care for them.
Walz also supported the GI Bill of 2008. This bill gave more education benefits to veterans. In some cases, veterans could give these benefits to their family members. In 2009, Walz gave a speech at the American Legion National Convention. He talked about the need for the VA and Department of Defense to work together. This would ensure that returning service members get the help they need.
Walz was a main supporter in the House for the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. This law requires the Veterans Administration to report on mental health care for veterans. It also allows the VA to offer incentives to psychiatrists. This encourages them to join the VA medical system. In 2018, Walz introduced a bill. It would give a tax credit to employees who are deployed in the military.
Personal Life
Walz and his wife, Gwen (born 1966), married in 1994. They lived in Mankato, Minnesota, for almost 20 years. After he was elected governor, they moved to Saint Paul. They have two children. Walz is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Walz's brother, Craig, died in 2016. He was hit by a falling tree during a storm. Craig's wife and son survived him. His son had serious injuries.
See also
In Spanish: Tim Walz para niños
- United States congressional delegations from Minnesota
- List of United States representatives from Minnesota
