Vice President Kamala Harris announced Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate last week, just hours before their first rally together in Philadelphia.
The Minnesota Governor has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community and being a champion of accessible higher education.
The selection of Walz, a seasoned political figure with a diverse background, signals Harris’ intent to build a dynamic and experienced leadership team for the upcoming election.
But who is Walz, and why is he an ideal choice for vice president?
Walz's journey to the national stage began long before his political career. At age 17, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving for 24 years. This makes him the vice presidential pick with the longest military record. His military service is a testament to his commitment to the country and his ability to lead with discipline and resilience.
Walz's dedication to public service extended into education, where he taught overseas and in Nebraska. Notably, as a teacher and coach at Mankato West High School, he became the faculty advisor for the school's first gay-straight alliance – in 1999.
"It really needed to be the football coach, who was the soldier and was straight and was married," Walz told the Minneapolis Star Tribune in 2018.
His leadership in this role demonstrated his commitment to LGBT rights, mainly when such support was crucial. His efforts to promote inclusivity and acceptance within the school community highlight his progressive values and ability to connect with diverse groups.
As Minnesota's governor since 2019, Walz has earned a reputation for pragmatic leadership and a strong focus on social issues. His tenure has been marked by his willingness to take responsibility for successes and setbacks, which resonates with voters seeking accountable leadership. Walz has faced challenges head-on, demonstrating transparency and a readiness to address failures, enhancing his credibility and trustworthiness.
Walz is also a big believer in education.
In Minnesota, he signed into a law the North Star Promise, which according to Inside Higher Ed, covers the cost of tuition to any public college in the state for students from families making less than $80,000 a year. Another one of his programs include free college for students who are members of a tribal nation.
“Governor Walz has been a consistent advocate for higher education in Minnesota,” Minnesota State system chancellor Scott Olson said in a statement to Inside Higher Ed. “His work with the Legislature last year led to the largest increase in support for public higher education in state history. This investment has made public higher education more affordable and accessible for Minnesotans from all backgrounds and will have a lasting impact on the vitality of Minnesota’s talent pool and economy.”
Before his governorship, Walz served as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's first district from 2007 to 2019, being re-elected five times. His extensive legislative experience is further demonstrated by his service on multiple vital committees, including Veterans’ Affairs, Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services. Speaker Nancy Pelosi even issued Walz a special waiver allowing him to serve on more committees than typically permitted for freshmen members of Congress, underscoring his exceptional capabilities.
His advocacy has marked Walz's political career for progressive causes such as police reform, reproductive rights, legalizing medical marijuana, and queer rights. He has also ensured that medical debt does not prevent individuals from receiving necessary treatment. His track record reflects a deep commitment to social justice and equity.
