Presidential candidate Kamala Harris made a wise choice when she selected our governor, Tim Walz, as her vice-presidential candidate.
Walz, 60, is a wonderful down-to-earth, straightforward, likable get-the-job-done kind of man. He’s a grand example of “Minnesota Nice.”
What’s more, he possesses so many “All-American” virtues. He was born in the Midwest (Nebraska). He was a Mankato High School social-studies teacher, a high-school football coach (his team won the 1999 state championship), a decorated veteran (24 years in the National Guard), a teacher of English in China for a year, a four-term U.S. House member (First District) from 2007-2019 – to name just some of his virtues and accomplishments.
Walz was elected governor in 2018 and again in 2022.
Throughout his life, Walz has been a level-headed, thoughtful, no-nonsense “people person” with a personable, gentle sense of humor. He has a far-reaching dedication to solve problems and make the quality of life better for so many Americans, including – of course – Minnesotans.
Walz is the absolute opposite of that breed of boastful, blustering, nasty, combative, loud-mouthed politicians. With Walz, ego and need for attention do not motivate him. What does motivate him are the needs of people; he works tirelessly to help satisfy those needs. Last year’s Minnesota Legislature’s season was one of the most productive in state history with Walz at the helm and a DFL-majority in House and Senate. Among its accomplishments were free school meals for all students, universal gun background checks, increased spending for vital infrastructure projects and for environmental health, a strengthening of abortion access, a right to paid leave, banning non-compete agreements, major law reforms, tax modifications and more.
On a tragic note, Walz was devastated when his brother, Craig, was killed by a falling tree in a 2016 storm, which also seriously injured his brother’s wife and son.
Walz’s wife, Gwen, he met while both were teachers (she was an English teacher). They have two children – Hope and Gus – both born thanks to in vitro fertilization.
Walz’s detractors, especially far-right radical extremists, are labeling him as a member of the “radical left.” He is most certainly not a radical. He has an open-minded, thoughtful, progressive approach and is more than willing to compromise to get things done.
Here are some “fun facts” about Walz as noted in an Aug. 6 “New York Times” feature:
He became involved in politics after he accompanied his students to a rally for candidate George W. Bush, but the students were denied entrance because they had volunteered for Democrats.
Walz failed a sobriety test after being pulled over for speeding one day in 1995. His wife told him: “You have obligations to people. You can’t make dumb choices.” After which Walz stopped drinking alcohol. He doesn’t drink coffee either but prefers Diet Mountain Dew, as does the other vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance – surely, thank goodness, the only thing he has in common with Vance.
