Tim Walz

Tim Walz
Name	Tim Walz
Caption	Official portrait, 2019
Order	41st
Office	Governor of Minnesota
Lieutenant	Peggy Flanagan
Term start	January 7, 2019
Predecessor	Mark Dayton
Office1	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Constituency1	Minnesota's 1st congressional district
Term start1	January 3, 2007
Term end1	January 3, 2019
Predecessor1	Gil Gutknecht
Successor1	Jim Hagedorn
Party	Democratic–Farmer–Labor
Spouse	Gwen Walz, 1994
Education	Chadron State College (BS), Minnesota State University, Mankato (MA)
Branch	Army National Guard
Serviceyears	1981–2005
Rank	Command Sergeant Major
Unit	1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery Regiment

Tim Walz is an American politician and educator serving as the 41st Governor of Minnesota since 2019. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he previously served as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district from 2007 to 2019. Before his political career, Walz was a Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard and a high school teacher and football coach in Mankato, Minnesota.

Early life and education

Timothy James Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, and grew up on a family farm near the town of Monroe, Nebraska. He attended Chadron State College in Nebraska, where he played college football and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social science education. Walz later moved to Minnesota, obtaining a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato. His early experiences in the Midwest and in education profoundly shaped his worldview and future career.

Early career and military service

Walz began his professional career as a teacher and coach at Nicollet High School and later at Mankato West High School. Concurrently, he enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1981, serving with the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery Regiment. Over a 24-year military career, Walz rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major, the highest non-commissioned officer rank. He retired from the National Guard in 2005, having never been deployed to combat but receiving several awards including the Meritorious Service Medal.

U.S. House of Representatives

In the 2006 election, Walz defeated six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht to represent Minnesota's 1st congressional district. He served six terms in the United States Congress, sitting on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the House Committee on Agriculture. Walz was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, focusing on issues like veterans' health care, agricultural policy, and transportation infrastructure. He chose not to seek re-election in 2018 to run for governor.

Governor of Minnesota

Walz was elected Governor of Minnesota in the 2018 election, defeating Republican nominee Jeff Johnson. He was re-elected in 2022 against Scott Jensen. His tenure has been marked by significant events including the COVID-19 pandemic response, the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, and the signing of major legislation such as the Minnesota Cannabis Act legalizing recreational cannabis. His administration, with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, has prioritized education funding, clean energy initiatives, and economic equity.

Political positions

Walz is considered a pragmatic progressive within the Democratic Party. He is a strong supporter of public education, labor unions like the Minnesota AFL–CIO, and environmental protection policies aligned with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He signed legislation establishing a paid family and medical leave program and protecting abortion rights following the Dobbs decision. On gun policy, he has advocated for measures like universal background checks and red flag laws. His fiscal approach often involves partnerships with entities like the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

Personal life

Walz married educator Gwen Walz (née Whipple) in 1994; she served as the Second Lady of Minnesota and is an advocate for literacy and children's issues. They have two children and reside in the Governor's Residence on Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. An avid outdoorsman, Walz enjoys hunting, fishing, and running. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and has been involved with organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and the Minnesota Historical Society.

Category:Governors of Minnesota Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota Category:Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party politicians