Tim Walz

Tim Walz
Walz in 2023
41st Governor of Minnesota
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2019
Lieutenant	Peggy Flanagan
Preceded by	Mark Dayton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 1st district
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Gil Gutknecht
Succeeded by	Jim Hagedorn
Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Corrine Brown
Succeeded by	Phil Roe
Personal details
Born	Timothy James Walz (1964-04-06) April 6, 1964 West Point, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (DFL)
Spouse	Gwen Whipple ​ (m. 1994)​
Children	2
Residence	Governor's Residence
Education	Chadron State College (BS) Minnesota State University, Mankato (MS)
Website	Governor website
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1981–2005
Highest rank attained	Command Sergeant Major
Unit	Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery Regiment
Battles/wars	Global War on Terrorism Operation Enduring Freedom
Awards	Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal Army Service Ribbon

Timothy James Walz (/wɔːlz/ WAWLZ; born April 6, 1964) is an American politician and retired educator who has served as the the 41st governor of Minnesota since 2019. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented Minnesota's 1st congressional district in Congress from 2007 until 2019.

Born and raised in Nebraska, Walz became an enlisted soldier in the Army National Guard at 17. Following his father's death, Walz roamed throughout the central U.S., working in agriculture and manufacturing. He later returned home to rural Nebraska, graduating from Chadron State College with a teaching degree. Embarking on a career in education, Walz taught abroad with WorldTeach. Upon returning to the U.S., he became a teacher on a Native American reservation in South Dakota and served full-time in the National Guard. Moving to Minnesota in 1996, Walz worked at Mankato West High School as a geography teacher. In addition to teaching, he was the defensive coordinator of Mankato West's football team. Still continuing his military service, Walz was deployed overseas in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Walz was first elected to Congress in 2006. He defeated six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht to become only the second Democrat in 125 years to win Minnesota's 1st congressional district and the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress. Walz went on to be reelected five times. He represented a large, mostly rural section of southern Minnesota situated along the border with Iowa. As a congressman, Walz supported raising the minimum wage, funding the War on terror, passing the Affordable Care Act, and protecting gun rights.

In 2018, Walz was elected governor of Minnesota, defeating Republican nominee and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson. He was reelected in 2022 over former state Senator Scott Jensen. As governor, Walz has dealt with both the Murder of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also has worked on expanding abortion access, improving public education, and supporting the legalization of recreational marajuana. Walz's political positions range from moderate to progressive.

Early life, education, and early career

Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, the son of Darlene R. and James F. "Jim" Walz, a Korean War veteran. His father was public school administrator while his mother was a community activist. Walz was raised in Chadron, Nebraska, a rural community in the northwestern portion of the state. Walz spent his summers working on his family's farm.

He joined the Army National Guard at 17, later recounting he was sworn in by an Army recruiter in the middle of a farm field. His father died two years later, affecting Walz deeply. This death lead Walz to wander across the central U.S. working a series of odd jobs that included both agriculture and manufacturing.

Walz graduated from Butte High School in a class of 25 students. He played on the school's football team and hunted with his friends after practice In 1989, he earned a bachelor of science degree in social science education from Chadron State College. His first teaching experience was at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, later returning to teach there again. He then accepted a teaching position with WorldTeach in the People's Republic of China. After his return home to work as a teacher in Nebraska, he met his wife Gwen. He moved to Minnesota in 1996 to work with his wife at Mankato West High School as a geography teacher. he In 2001, he earned a Master of Science in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1981 and served for 24 years. Over his military career, he had postings in Arkansas, Texas, the Arctic Circle, New Ulm, Minnesota, and elsewhere. He worked in heavy artillery. During his career, he worked in disaster response postings following floods and tornados and was deployed overseas on active duty for months, although he never saw combat. In 1989, he earned the title of Nebraska Citizen-Soldier of the Year. Walz attained the rank of command sergeant major near the end of his career, but retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefit purposes because he did not complete coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He later became the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress.

He resumed teaching as a geography teacher and football coach at Mankato West High School. As a coach of the football team, he helped lead the school to their victory in the 1999 Minnesota State Championship game.

Walz and his wife, Gwen, ran Educational Travel Adventures, accompanying high school juniors and seniors on summer educational trips to China. After more than 20 years of teaching, he retired following his election to Congress in 2006.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Walz decided to run for Congress in 2006. He had no opponent for the DFL nomination in the September 12, 2006 primary election. He beat incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht in the general election on November 7, and took office on January 3, 2007. After the election, Gutknecht was described as having been caught "off guard" and Walz as having "resolved never to get caught like that himself.... He packaged himself as a moderate from Day One, built an office centered on constituent service and carved out a niche as a tireless advocate for veterans."

Walz was reelected in 2008 with 62% of the vote, becoming only the second non-Republican to win a second full term in the district. He won a third term in 2010, defeating State Representative Randy Demmer with 50% of the vote. He was reelected in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Jim Hagedorn, the son of former Congressman Tom Hagedorn, was defeated by Walz in both 2014 and 2016. He went on to succeed Walz in Congress.

Tenure

Walz freshman portrait
(110th Congress)

Upon his swearing in, Walz became the highest-ranking retired enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, as well as only the fourth Democrat/DFLer to represent his district. The others were Thomas Wilson (1887–1889), William Harries (1891–1893), and Tim Penny (1983–1995).

Walz served on the House Agriculture Committee, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Armed Services Committee. From 2017 until 2019, Walz served as the Ranking Member of the Veteran's Affairs committee.

Along with fellow Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, Walz opposed President Bush's plan to increase troop levels in Iraq. In his first week as a legislator, Walz cosponsored a bill to raise the minimum wage, voted for stem cell research, voted to allow Medicare to negotiate pharmaceutical prices, and voiced support for pay-as-you-go budget rules, requiring that new spending or tax changes not add to the federal deficit.

Even as he represented a district that had usually voted Republican, pundits described Walz's stated policy positions as ranging from moderate to liberal. He voted against the act to Prohibit Federally Funded Abortion Services, and to advance the Affordable Care Act out of the House. He also voted to continue funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and against the 2008 TARP bill, which purchased troubled assets from financial institutions.

Walz received a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood in 2012, from the ACLU in 2011, from the American Immigration Lawyers Association in 2009–2010, from the AFL–CIO in 2010, from the Teamsters in 2009–2010, and from NOW in 2007. He also received single-digit ratings from the National Taxpayers' Union, Citizens against Government Waste, Americans for Tax Reform, and Freedom Works. The United States Chamber of Commerce gave him a 25% rating in 2010. Walz was ranked the 7th most bipartisan member of the House during the 114th Congress (and the most bipartisan member from Minnesota) in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy that ranks members of Congress by measuring how often their bills attract co-sponsors from the opposite party and how often they co-sponsor bills by members of the opposite party.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Caucus memberships

• Chair, Congressional EMS Caucus
• Co-Chair, National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus
• Co-Chair, Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus
• Co-Chair, Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus
• Member, LGBT Equality Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus

Governor of Minnesota

Elections

2018

See also: 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Walz announced he would run for governor after Mark Dayton, the incumbent Democratic governor, chose not to seek a third term. On November 6, 2018, Walz was elected governor, defeating the Republican nominee, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson.

During the campaign, two senior NCOs of the Minnesota National Guard falsely accused Walz of fabricating facts about his service and lying about his military rank. The allegation about his military rank was debunked.

2022

See also: 2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Walz sought reelection in 2022. He won the August 9 Democratic primary and faced Republican nominee Scott Jensen in the November general election. On November 8, 2022, Walz defeated Jensen, 52.3% to 44.6%. Though Jensen fared better than Walz's opponent had in 2018 and made gains against Walz in Greater Minnesota, he did not overcome Walz's lead in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Tenure

Tim Walz's swearing-in as Minnesota's 41st governor

Walz was sworn in as governor of Minnesota on January 7, 2019, at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul. Walz took the oath of office alongside incoming Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, all Democrats. Walz spoke about education and healthcare reform in his inauguration speech.

Police reform and protest response

See also: George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul

On May 26, 2020, the day after the murder of George Floyd, Walz and lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan demanded justice and called the video of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck "disturbing". Walz elaborated, "The lack of humanity in this disturbing video is sickening. We will get answers and seek justice".

Walz's initial response to the widespread protests following Floyd's murder was criticized by political opponents and other groups. He later responded to the murder by ordering the Minnesota legislature to reconvene for special sessions on legislation for police reform and accountability. After police reform failed to pass the first special session in June, a second special session was held in July. On July 21, the legislature passed major police reform legislation. The new compromise law includes a limited ban on police from using chokeholds so long as the officers are not at greater risk. It bans the old warrior training program, which was regarded as dehumanizing people and encouraging aggressive conduct. It requires training peace officers to deal with people with autism or in a mental health crisis and deescalation training for situations that could turn volatile. It also creates a special independent unit at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for investigations of fatal police encounters and a community relations advisory council to consult with the Police Officers Standards and Training Board on policy changes. Walz signed the legislation into law on July 23.

Political positions

Cannabis

Walz has advocated for the legalization of recreational cannabis as governor of Minnesota. As a candidate for governor in 2017, he said: "We have an opportunity in Minnesota to replace the current failed policy with one that creates tax revenue, grows jobs, builds opportunities for Minnesotans, protects Minnesota kids, and trusts adults to make personal decisions based on their personal freedoms." In 2022, he proposed the creation of a Cannabis Management Office to develop and implement the "regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis" in Minnesota.

Economic issues

During the economic crisis in 2008, Walz repeatedly spoke out against using taxpayer money to bail out financial institutions; in late September he voted against the $700 billion TARP bill, which purchased troubled assets from these institutions. Walz released a statement after the bill's passage, saying, "The bill we voted on today passes the buck when it comes to recouping the losses taxpayers might suffer. I also regret that this bill does not do enough to help average homeowners, or provide sufficient oversight of Wall Street." For the same reasons, in December 2008 he voted against the bill that offered $14 billion in government loans to bail out the country's large automobile manufacturers. In June 2009 Walz introduced a bipartisan resolution calling on the federal government to "relinquish its temporary ownership interests in the General Motors Corporation and Chrysler Group, LLC, as soon as possible" and stated that the government must not be involved in those companies' management decisions.

Despite his votes against bailout bills that loaned taxpayer money to large banks and auto manufacturers, Walz did vote with his Democratic colleagues to support the 2009 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. As a member of the House Transportation Committee, Walz saw the stimulus bill as an opportunity to work "with his congressional colleagues to make job creation through investment in public infrastructure like roads, bridges and clean energy the cornerstone of the economic recovery plan". Walz has focused heavily on job and economic issues important to his southern Minnesota district, which has a mix of larger employers like the Mayo Clinic along with small businesses and agricultural interests. In July 2009 he voted for the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act, which he described as "part of our long-term economic blueprint to spur job creation by encouraging America's entrepreneurs to innovate toward breakthrough technological advancements". Walz also urged assistance for hog and dairy farmers who struggled with lower prices for their commodities in 2008 and 2009.

Education

Walz was a public school teacher for 20 years. He opposes using merit pay for teachers. Voting in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Walz pointed to its strong provisions in support of public school buildings. Walz is on record supporting legislation to lower tuition costs. In a February 12, 2009 speech, he said that the most important thing to do "to ensure a solid base for [America's] economic future … is to provide the best education possible for [American] children." He has received strong backing for these policies from many interest groups, including the National Education Association, the American Association of University Women and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Guns

Walz is a strong supporter of gun rights and has been endorsed by the NRA multiple times. However, since 2018, he has been against the NRA and supports restrictions on guns.

LGBT rights

Walz supports LGBT rights, including federal anti-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation. In a 2009 speech he called for an end to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Walz voted in favor of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and the Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act. In 2007, he received a 90% grade from the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT organization. In 2011, Walz announced his support for the Respect for Marriage Act.

Veterans' issues

Having served 24 years in the Army National Guard, as a freshman in Congress he was given a rare third committee membership when he was assigned to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Walz has championed enhanced veterans benefits since taking office in 2007. In May of that year the House unanimously passed his "Traumatic Brain Injuries Center Act" to set up five centers around the nation to study traumatic brain injuries and develop improved models for caring for veterans suffering from such injuries.

Walz also supported the GI Bill of 2008, which expanded education benefits for veterans and in some cases allowed them to transfer education benefits to family members. In 2009, Walz gave the keynote address at the American Legion National Convention in Louisville. He spoke about the need for the VA and Department of Defense to work together to make sure that returning service men and women "do not fall through the cracks when they transition to civilian life".

Walz was the lead House sponsor of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which directs the Veterans Administration to report on veteran mental health care and suicide prevention programs. It also gives the VA permission to provide incentives to psychiatrists who agree to join the VA medical system.

Women's issues

Walz supports abortion rights and has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood. The National Right to Life Committee gave him a rating of zero. In early 2009, Walz voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. In 2023, he signed inot law the PRO Act which codified abortion rights in Minnesota

Personal life

Walz and his wife Gwen married in 1994. They lived in Mankato, Minnesota, for nearly 20 years before moving to Saint Paul with their two children upon his election as governor.

Walz's brother Craig was killed by a falling tree during a storm in 2016. He was survived by his wife Julie, and their son Jacob, who suffered severe injuries but survived.

Walz is Lutheran, but was raised as a Catholic.

Electoral history

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, District 1

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz	141,622	53	−
	Republican	Gil Gutknecht (incumbent)	126,487	47	−13

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, District 1

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	207,748	62.5	+9.5
	Republican	Brian J. Davis	109,446	32.9	−
	Independence	Gregory Mikkelson	14,903	4.5	−

2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, District 1

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	122,390	49.4	−13.1
	Republican	Randy Demmer	109,261	44.1	+11.2
	Independence	Steven Wilson	13,243	5.3	+0.8

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, District 1

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	193,211	57.5	+8.1
	Republican	Allen Quist	142,164	42.3	−1.8

2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, District 1

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	122,851	54.2	−3.3
	Republican	Jim Hagedorn	103,536	45.7	+3.4

2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, District 1

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	169,076	50.4	−3.8
	Republican	Jim Hagedorn	166,527	49.6	+3.9

2018 Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz	242,832	41.60%
	Democratic (DFL)	Erin Murphy	186,969	32.03%
	Democratic (DFL)	Lori Swanson	143,517	24.59%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Holden	6,398	1.10%
	Democratic (DFL)	Olé Savior	4,019	0.69%
Total votes			583,735	100%

2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz/Peggy Flanagan	1,393,096	53.84%	+3.77%
	Republican	Jeff Johnson/Donna Bergstrom	1,097,705	42.43%	−2.08%
	Grassroots	Chris Wright/Judith Schwartzbacker	68,667	2.65%	+1.07%
	Libertarian	Josh Welter/Mary O'Connor	26,735	1.03%	+0.11%
	n/a	Write-ins	1,084	0.04%	0.00%
Total votes			2,587,287	100.0%	N/A
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz/Peggy Flanagan (incumbent)	1,312,311	52.27%	−1.57%
	Republican	Scott Jensen/Matt Birk	1,119,911	44.61%	+2.18%
	Legal Marijuana Now	James McCaskel/David Sandbeck	29,435	1.17%	N/A
	Grassroots—LC	Steve Patterson/Matt Huff	22,604	0.90%	−1.75%
	Independence	Hugh McTavish/Mike Winter	18,156	0.72%	N/A
	Socialist Workers	Gabrielle Prosser/Kevin Dwire	7,240	0.29%	N/A
	n/a	Write-ins	1,026	0.04%	0.00%
Total votes			2,510,683	100.0%
	Democratic (DFL) hold

See also

• United States congressional delegations from Minnesota
• List of United States representatives from Minnesota

External links

• Governor Tim Walz official government website
• Tim Walz for Governor campaign website
• Template:Curlie
• Appearances on C-SPAN

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart