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Gov. Tim Walz

Who is Tim Walz? The Minnesota governor has been picked to be Kamala Harris' running mate and VP candidate.

Meet Tim Walz: His early life and political background

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the small-town kid whose time in the military and at the front of a classroom preceded his foray into politics, could become vice president after being selected as Kamala Harris’ running mate. He’d be the third Minnesotan to get the job.

Here’s what you should know about Walz:

Early and personal life

  • Born April 6, 1964 in West Point, Neb.

  • Married to Gwen in 1994. Two children, Hope and Gus.

  • Raised in small-town Nebraska, where he graduated from a public high school.

Education and teaching background

  • He attended Chadron State College in Nebraska and also has a degree from what is now known as Minnesota State University, Mankato.

  • Taught high school social studies and civics in Nebraska and Minnesota.

Military experience

  • Member of the Army National Guard.

  • Achieved the rank of command sergeant major before retiring in 2005 after 24 years.

Political experience

  • First elected in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District in 2006 and reelected to five more terms, serving 12 years in the House of Representatives.

  • Won Minnesota governorship in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Currently chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

Defining moments in Walz’s political career

An all-Democratic power structure at Minnesota’s Capitol in recent years has given Walz the ability to deliver a stream of policies celebrated in progressive circles, ranging from abortion protections to universal school meals to marijuana legalization.

His tenure also includes stumbles and challenges — from dealing with COVID-19 disruptions to unrest sparked by George Floyd’s murder to suggestions his administration hasn’t always been attentive to where tax dollars go.

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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter (left), Rep. Betty McCullum, D-Minn. and Minnesota Gov. Walz listen as Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Planned Parenthood, on March 14, in St. Paul.
Kerem Yücel | MPR News
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks before President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Biden administration’s efforts to rebuild infrastructure at Earth Rider Brewery on Jan. 25, in Superior, Wis.
Erica Dischino for MPR News
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Tim Walz delivers his speech
Gov. Walz delivers his 2024 State of the State speech in the auditorium of Owatonna High School on March 26 in Owatonna.
Clay Masters | MPR News
Coverage highlights of Walz's tenure
Go deeper Explore the MPR Archive collection on Tim Walz


Ask MPR News


The latest on Tim Walz:

MPR News has chronicled Walz from a personal, political, and policy lens over almost two decades. Here are some stories that shed light on him, what he stands for and how he operates.

Lt. Gov. Flanagan on Walz’s skills, flubs, tribal relations and potential promotion

Lt. Gov. Flanagan on Walz’s skills, flubs, tribal relations and potential promotion

If the Harris-Walz ticket prevails, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will become the state’s first female governor and the country’s first female Native American governor. She joined Morning Edition Host Cathy Wurzer by phone Wednesday to talk about Walz’s and her own future.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Vance and Walz are still relatively unknown, but the governor is better liked, an AP-NORC poll finds

Vance and Walz are still relatively unknown, but the governor is better liked, an AP-NORC poll finds

Tim Walz and JD Vance have vaulted themselves out of national obscurity as they hustle to introduce themselves to the country, but the senator from Ohio has had a rockier start than the Minnesota governor.
by The Associated Press

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‘Lunch pail kind of guy’: Walz aims to hone image as GOP paints different picture of VP hopeful

‘Lunch pail kind of guy’: Walz aims to hone image as GOP paints different picture of VP hopeful

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gives his acceptance speech for the Democratic vice presidential nomination Wednesday at the party’s national convention. Walz had just two weeks to introduce himself to voters since current Vice President Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate. 
by Clay Masters

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Gov. Tim Walz and wife Gwen Walz detail experience with fertility treatment, explain it wasn’t IVF

Gov. Tim Walz and wife Gwen Walz detail experience with fertility treatment, explain it wasn’t IVF

The Walz family is sharing new details about how they used a fertility treatment called intrauterine insemination to conceive their children. Republicans say Walz misled the public on this aspect of his family history.
by Dana Ferguson

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Harris and Walz make small town stops and campaign phone calls on Pennsylvania bus tour before DNC

Harris and Walz make small town stops and campaign phone calls on Pennsylvania bus tour before DNC

Throughout their stops, Vice President Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz shied away from policy or much politics, instead sticking to broad-strokes messages focused on character, perseverance and the future of the country.
by The Associated Press

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Walz touts Nebraska roots in visit to his home state where there's a battle over one electoral vote

Walz touts Nebraska roots in visit to his home state where there's a battle over one electoral vote

Tim Walz played up his Nebraska roots in his first trip back to his home state since becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee, and then drew sharp contrasts between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
by The Associated Press

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