Tim Walz: 18 Facts About Democrats’ New Vice Presidential Pick

Here’s a closer look at tim walz the Democrats’ new vice-presidential nominee:

Until recently, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota was relatively unknown outside the Midwest. However, his prominence surged when President Biden withdrew from the race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him and select Walz as her running mate.

• Social Media Sensation: Walz has quickly become a favorite online, appreciated for his Midwestern “dad vibes” and relatable ordinariness.
• The “Weird” Label: Walz dubbed former President Trump and Senator JD Vance of Ohio as “weird” on cable TV recently, a term that has since become a Democratic talking point.
• Educator at Heart: Before politics, Walz taught high school social studies and geography in Alliance, Neb., and Mankato, Minn.
• Veteran Service: Enlisting in the Army National Guard as a teenager, Walz retired in 2005 with honors, including the Army Commendation Medal.
• Congressional Record: Representing Minnesota’s First District for over a decade, Walz was a rare Democrat from the rural Midwest. He held a significant role on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and supported key legislation such as the Affordable Care Act.
• Nebraska Roots: Born in West Point, Neb., Walz grew up in Valentine, Neb., attended high school in Butte, Neb., and graduated from Chadron State College. He later earned a master’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
• Political Awakening: Walz’s political career began after he and his students were barred from a George W. Bush rally in 2004 for having volunteered for Democrats.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Walz trained at Camp Wellstone, a Democratic political camp, where his current lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, was a trainer.
• Global Experience: Walz taught English in China in 1989 and speaks some Mandarin.
• Early LGBTQ+ Advocacy: In the 1990s, Walz sponsored Mankato West High School’s first gay-straight alliance, highlighting the importance of support from diverse backgrounds.
• Political Evolution: Initially moderate on some issues, Walz has shifted left, particularly on gun control and refugee vetting, aligning more with progressive values since his gubernatorial run in 2018.
• Avid Hunter: Walz is a gun owner who enjoys hunting pheasants and turkeys, organizing events to kick off hunting seasons in Minnesota.
• Honoring Prince: Walz signed a bill naming a highway after Prince in purple ink, calling it the “coolest bill signing” he’s ever done.
• Minnesota’s Vice Presidential Lineage: If elected, Walz would be the third vice president from Minnesota, following Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.
• Personal Struggles and IVF Advocacy: Walz and his wife had their two children through in vitro fertilization after years of fertility treatments, a journey he has spoken about publicly.
• Coaching Success: Walz coached the 1999 football state champions at Mankato West High School.
• Sober Lifestyle: Walz stopped drinking alcohol after a DWI incident in 1995, emphasizing personal responsibility.
• Diet Mountain Dew Enthusiast: Walz prefers Diet Mountain Dew over coffee, sharing this preference with his Republican counterpart.