Meet Tim Walz: Kamala Harris’s Surprise Pick for Vice President

Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election. The announcement comes after Walz’s swift endorsement of Harris following her campaign launch, which helped keep speculation about his potential vice presidential bid to a minimum. Despite being a favorite among Midwestern Democrats, alongside Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Walz’s selection was not widely anticipated until the final days leading up to the announcement.

Walz has garnered significant support from prominent Minnesota Democrats, including Representative Betty McCollum and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Ellison praised Walz, saying, “He’s a great Midwesterner, through and through. He’s extremely well-positioned.”

So, who is Tim Walz? Born on April 6, 1964, in West Point, Nebraska, Walz spent most of his childhood in the rural town of Chadron, near the South Dakota border. He graduated from Butte High School and later earned a degree in social science education from Chadron State College. Walz also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Walz’s career began as a school teacher, with his first position at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He later taught in China with the organization WorldTeach. For 24 years, Walz served as a noncommissioned officer in the United States National Reserve, where he was involved in disaster response and community rebuilding efforts. He received the Nebraska Citizen-Soldier of the Year award in 1989 and retired as a master sergeant in 2005.

Walz’s entry into politics began in 2006 when he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. He defeated Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht and went on to serve six consecutive terms until 2016. During his time in Congress, Walz served on the House Agriculture Committee and the Committee on Veterans Affairs.

In 2018, Walz became the governor of Minnesota, winning reelection in 2022. As governor, he has signed multiple police reform bills into law and condemned the actions of police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Walz also legalized recreational marijuana in 2023 after years of advocating for cannabis decriminalization.

Walz is married to Gwen Whipple, and they have two children. As a public school teacher for 20 years, Walz has prioritized education policy, passing a $2.3 billion education budget, the largest in Minnesota’s history. He has also passed laws ensuring students receive free breakfast and lunch at school.

Walz has been endorsed by the National Education Association and the American Association of University Women, among others. He supports lowering tuition costs and opposes merit-based pay for teachers. His other key focus areas include veterans affairs and advocating for active-duty military personnel. Walz has worked to end veteran homelessness in Minnesota and has invested in the Minnesota National Guard.

In Congress and as governor, Walz has supported women’s reproductive health and the right to an abortion, earning a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood. He has also been a long-time supporter of LGBT rights, calling for the end of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and supporting the Respect for Marriage Act. However, Walz has flip-flopped on gun rights, initially supporting the Second Amendment and receiving endorsements from the National Rifle Association before denouncing the NRA after the 2018 Parkland High School shooting.

When asked about the potential vice presidency, Walz told reporters he would “be there to do anything [he] can do to help” but largely dodged questions about his potential selection as Harris’s running mate.