Here’s a detailed biography of Tim Walz:
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Timothy James Walz (pronounced “WALLS”)
- Date of Birth: April 6, 1964
- Birthplace: West Point, Nebraska; raised in Valentine & Butte, Nebraska
- Education:
- B.S. in Social Science Education, Chadron State College (1989)
- M.S. in Educational Leadership, Minnesota State University‑Mankato (2001)
Military & Early Career
- Military Service: Enlisted in the Army National Guard at age 17 (1981–2005), retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. Served in Operation Enduring Freedom and was once named Nebraska Citizen-Soldier of the Year
- Teaching & Coaching: Taught abroad in China (1989–1990), then in Nebraska and Minnesota. Coached the Mankato West High School football team to its first state championship in 1999, and served as faculty advisor for the school’s first gay–straight alliance
Political Career
- U.S. House of Representatives (2007–2019):
- Elected in 2006 for Minnesota’s 1st District, unseating a six-term Republican.
- Served six terms. Was ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee
- Governor of Minnesota (2019–present):
- Elected in November 2018 and re‑elected in November 2022 with about 52.3% of the vote
- Notable initiatives:
- Implemented universal free school meals and expanded paid family leave.
- Enshrined abortion and transgender rights in state law; banned conversion therapy
- Championed clean energy goals (100% carbon-free electricity by 2040), low taxes for the middle class, gun safety measures, and new voting rights protections .
Family & Personal Life
- Wife: Gwen Whipple (married 1994), a former teacher and current First Lady of Minnesota.
- Children: Hope (b. 2001) and Gus (b. 2006), conceived via IVF).
- Personal: Lutheran; openly discussed a 1995 DUI in Nebraska, after which he stopped drinking
National Spotlight
- 2024 VP Nominee: Chosen by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate—first sitting governor on a Democratic ticket since 1924. They ultimately lost to Donald Trump and J.D. Vance
- His strengths: appeal to rural and Midwestern voters, background as a teacher and Guard veteran, and centrist-progressive policy balance
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1964 | Born in Nebraska |
| 1981 | Joined National Guard |
| 1989 | Graduated college, taught in China |
| 1994 | Married Gwen |
| 1999 | Led high school team to championship; began teaching in Minnesota |
| 2006 | Elected to Congress |
| 2018 | Elected Governor |
| 2022 | Re‑elected Governor |
| 2024 | Ran as VP nominee |
Summary
Tim Walz is a veteran, teacher, coach, and public servant with a consistent record of pragmatic, progressive policy-making in Minnesota. Known for bipartisan appeal and a Midwestern-genuine ethos, he rose from rural Nebraska to national prominence through roles as Congressman, Governor, and 2024 VP nominee.