DNC night 3: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to formally accept nomination
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, center left, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, center right, applaud as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris makes an appearance during the Democratic National Convention, Monday, in Chicago.
Yalonda M. James | San Francisco Chronicle via AP
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Minnesota Democrats have formally nominated Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz as their party’s presidential ticket. Delegates from Minnesota and other states cast ceremonial votes in a roll call Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention.
Gov. Walz’s big night in Chicago is Wednesday night. He will introduce himself to the nation during a prime time speech. MPR News correspondent Mark Zdechlik joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with a preview from the DNC in Chicago.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Audio transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING] CATHY WURZER: Democrats have formally nominated Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz as their party's presidential ticket. It was a night of a lot of pomp and circumstance. Take a listen to Minnesota's roll call as the state delegation cast their votes.
TINA SMITH: And I'm Tina Smith from the great state of Minnesota--
[CHEERING]
--the home of the next vice president of the United States, Tim Walz!
[CHEERING]
Minnesota, we cast 10 votes present. And we deliver 81 votes for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz!
[CHEERING]
CATHY WURZER: Of course, you can hear the delegation's walk-up music, which came appropriately from Prince. Tonight, it's Governor Walz's big night. He'll introduce himself to the nation during a primetime speech from the Democratic National Convention. Reporter Mark Zdechlik joins us right now from the DNC in Chicago. Good afternoon, Mark.
MARK ZDECHLIK: Good afternoon, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: There's a lot on the line for Governor Walz tonight, isn't there?
MARK ZDECHLIK: There sure is. Walz is just a little more than two weeks into his new role as Kamala Harris's vice presidential candidate. Most party insiders by now know about him and some of the things he's accomplished over his career.
But many people who were not involved in politics the way delegates are, people who are at this convention, probably still have a lot to learn about Walz. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan told me yesterday evening on the convention floor that Tim Walz just needs to be himself on the big stage.
PEGGY FLANAGAN: And I think it's telling that positive story of what we've been able to do in Minnesota and trying to bring that to the rest of the country, focusing on middle class families with children. And I think what Minnesota knows about Tim Walz, that he's a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, and bringing that big dad energy, he's bringing that to the rest of the country. And people are just excited. I'm excited.
CATHY WURZER: So, what are the other delegates saying about Governor Walz, Mark?
MARK ZDECHLIK: Well, they seem to know who he is. Delegate Larry Olsen, who lives outside of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, told me he is a big fan of Walz.
LARRY OLSEN: What's not to like about Tim Walz? From beginnings on, he entered into the National Guard, 24 years of loyal service, and which I get pissed off when people denigrate that. [LAUGHS] Anyway, being a teacher, coach, congressman, and now your governor, and the things he's done as your governor, we can only look with envy across a certain border. [CHUCKLES]
CATHY WURZER: Well, yeah. They're right next door in South Dakota there, Mark. But what about delegates who live away from Minnesota?
MARK ZDECHLIK: Cathy, I couldn't find anyone at the convention last night who did not know who Walz is and know something about what he's done over his career. Here is Hawaii delegate Michael Gloyu.
MICHAEL GLOYU: Oh, I definitely know who he is. He's our next vice president. His values are America's values. He has done amazing things, as I hope everybody in America will have learned what he's done for his state and that he can do for our country.
MARK ZDECHLIK: What kind of things stick out to you that he's done for Minnesota?
MICHAEL GLOYU: As a school teacher, making things safer for LGBTQ students, showing that football coaches don't have to be bigoted to be effective. And so, that sends a message loud and clear, I hope, to other football coaches out there that they need to be open and affirming for all players.
MARK ZDECHLIK: Gloyu is referring to Walz's work to help start a Gay Straight Alliance Club in the late 1990s when he was teaching and coaching football in Mankato.
CATHY WURZER: So let's talk about the governor's background as an educator. I mean, it seems to have been making an impression on delegates.
MARK ZDECHLIK: That's certainly what I've been hearing over and over here in Chicago. Delegate Stephanie McGowan is here from northern New Jersey.
STEPHANIE MCGOWAN: Do I know about Tim Walz? Every educator in this country right now should be ecstatic that someone with the integrity of teaching every day and really informing the growth and development of people, young people, that he's willing to give his heart and soul to this country and help us continue to grow. This is a great day for our profession. I personally think it's just one of the best choices that Vice President Harris could have made.
CATHY WURZER: So it sounds as though the governor's job will be to get his story out on the convention arena, right? And tonight's speech would be a decent opportunity for him to do that.
MARK ZDECHLIK: That's absolutely the case. Minnesota's Governor's challenge is to connect with the broader population the way he has with the party faithful and Minnesotans. He's into his second term as governor.
Delegate Jared Brossett from New Orleans says he started hearing about Walz during the Veep stakes. He told me he's impressed with Walz's down to earth way of communicating, his military service, and his record as Minnesota governor, most notably his push for free school lunches. Brossette calls Walz a great public servant.
JARED BROSSETT: He's been amazing for the young kids in Minnesota. Poverty is a big issue in the United States. I was happy to see Vice President Harris pick a great partner. I do believe they will be headed to the White House come November 5.
But we got to stay vigilant. We got to organize and get people out. Governor Walz and Vice President Harris, as you've seen with the rallies, they are bringing many people into the fold. And we've got to keep that momentum up.
MARK ZDECHLIK: So, Cathy, it'll be interesting to see how Walz handles himself tonight. This is a particularly important day for Minnesota's governor.
CATHY WURZER: Mm-hmm. So we're focusing on the governor, obviously. But there are some other big names on deck at the DNC today, right?
MARK ZDECHLIK: Yeah, that is the case. And it's been the case all week here. More big names tonight, Cathy. Former President Bill Clinton will speak. So will former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And Transportation Secretary and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is also on the docket. So a lot going on, again, tonight in Chicago.
CATHY WURZER: All right. It's going to be a busy night for you, too. Mark, thank you.
MARK ZDECHLIK: You're welcome.
CATHY WURZER: That's reporter Mark Zdechlik live from Chicago. Our special coverage from the DNC starts here on Minnesota Public Radio starting at 8:00 PM.
TINA SMITH: And I'm Tina Smith from the great state of Minnesota--
[CHEERING]
--the home of the next vice president of the United States, Tim Walz!
[CHEERING]
Minnesota, we cast 10 votes present. And we deliver 81 votes for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz!
[CHEERING]
CATHY WURZER: Of course, you can hear the delegation's walk-up music, which came appropriately from Prince. Tonight, it's Governor Walz's big night. He'll introduce himself to the nation during a primetime speech from the Democratic National Convention. Reporter Mark Zdechlik joins us right now from the DNC in Chicago. Good afternoon, Mark.
MARK ZDECHLIK: Good afternoon, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: There's a lot on the line for Governor Walz tonight, isn't there?
MARK ZDECHLIK: There sure is. Walz is just a little more than two weeks into his new role as Kamala Harris's vice presidential candidate. Most party insiders by now know about him and some of the things he's accomplished over his career.
But many people who were not involved in politics the way delegates are, people who are at this convention, probably still have a lot to learn about Walz. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan told me yesterday evening on the convention floor that Tim Walz just needs to be himself on the big stage.
PEGGY FLANAGAN: And I think it's telling that positive story of what we've been able to do in Minnesota and trying to bring that to the rest of the country, focusing on middle class families with children. And I think what Minnesota knows about Tim Walz, that he's a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, and bringing that big dad energy, he's bringing that to the rest of the country. And people are just excited. I'm excited.
CATHY WURZER: So, what are the other delegates saying about Governor Walz, Mark?
MARK ZDECHLIK: Well, they seem to know who he is. Delegate Larry Olsen, who lives outside of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, told me he is a big fan of Walz.
LARRY OLSEN: What's not to like about Tim Walz? From beginnings on, he entered into the National Guard, 24 years of loyal service, and which I get pissed off when people denigrate that. [LAUGHS] Anyway, being a teacher, coach, congressman, and now your governor, and the things he's done as your governor, we can only look with envy across a certain border. [CHUCKLES]
CATHY WURZER: Well, yeah. They're right next door in South Dakota there, Mark. But what about delegates who live away from Minnesota?
MARK ZDECHLIK: Cathy, I couldn't find anyone at the convention last night who did not know who Walz is and know something about what he's done over his career. Here is Hawaii delegate Michael Gloyu.
MICHAEL GLOYU: Oh, I definitely know who he is. He's our next vice president. His values are America's values. He has done amazing things, as I hope everybody in America will have learned what he's done for his state and that he can do for our country.
MARK ZDECHLIK: What kind of things stick out to you that he's done for Minnesota?
MICHAEL GLOYU: As a school teacher, making things safer for LGBTQ students, showing that football coaches don't have to be bigoted to be effective. And so, that sends a message loud and clear, I hope, to other football coaches out there that they need to be open and affirming for all players.
MARK ZDECHLIK: Gloyu is referring to Walz's work to help start a Gay Straight Alliance Club in the late 1990s when he was teaching and coaching football in Mankato.
CATHY WURZER: So let's talk about the governor's background as an educator. I mean, it seems to have been making an impression on delegates.
MARK ZDECHLIK: That's certainly what I've been hearing over and over here in Chicago. Delegate Stephanie McGowan is here from northern New Jersey.
STEPHANIE MCGOWAN: Do I know about Tim Walz? Every educator in this country right now should be ecstatic that someone with the integrity of teaching every day and really informing the growth and development of people, young people, that he's willing to give his heart and soul to this country and help us continue to grow. This is a great day for our profession. I personally think it's just one of the best choices that Vice President Harris could have made.
CATHY WURZER: So it sounds as though the governor's job will be to get his story out on the convention arena, right? And tonight's speech would be a decent opportunity for him to do that.
MARK ZDECHLIK: That's absolutely the case. Minnesota's Governor's challenge is to connect with the broader population the way he has with the party faithful and Minnesotans. He's into his second term as governor.
Delegate Jared Brossett from New Orleans says he started hearing about Walz during the Veep stakes. He told me he's impressed with Walz's down to earth way of communicating, his military service, and his record as Minnesota governor, most notably his push for free school lunches. Brossette calls Walz a great public servant.
JARED BROSSETT: He's been amazing for the young kids in Minnesota. Poverty is a big issue in the United States. I was happy to see Vice President Harris pick a great partner. I do believe they will be headed to the White House come November 5.
But we got to stay vigilant. We got to organize and get people out. Governor Walz and Vice President Harris, as you've seen with the rallies, they are bringing many people into the fold. And we've got to keep that momentum up.
MARK ZDECHLIK: So, Cathy, it'll be interesting to see how Walz handles himself tonight. This is a particularly important day for Minnesota's governor.
CATHY WURZER: Mm-hmm. So we're focusing on the governor, obviously. But there are some other big names on deck at the DNC today, right?
MARK ZDECHLIK: Yeah, that is the case. And it's been the case all week here. More big names tonight, Cathy. Former President Bill Clinton will speak. So will former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And Transportation Secretary and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is also on the docket. So a lot going on, again, tonight in Chicago.
CATHY WURZER: All right. It's going to be a busy night for you, too. Mark, thank you.
MARK ZDECHLIK: You're welcome.
CATHY WURZER: That's reporter Mark Zdechlik live from Chicago. Our special coverage from the DNC starts here on Minnesota Public Radio starting at 8:00 PM.
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