Tim Walz Joins Kamala Harris On Democratic Ticket: 5 Things To Know About Minnesota Governor, VP Pick

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was named as the vice-presidential pick of Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday.

Here's a look at some fun facts you might not know about Walz ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

1. High School Teacher/Football Coach: Prior to his career in politics, Walz was high school teacher and football coach. The Minnesota governor previously taught and coached football in Nebraska at Alliance High School. Walz helped coach Mankato West High School to a state championship in football after building the program up for several years, as reported by The Washington Post.

After Joe Biden stepped down in 2024, and Kamala Harris was presumed to be the leading replacement, Walz used an analogy from his coaching career to describe the situation.

"As a football coach, we're back on offense. Vice President Harris is bringing the energy, making sure she's going to be there to protect the democracy and get folks fired up, making sure we're protecting reproductive rights, working for the middle class, and bringing back some joy to our politics – so get out there, feel the excitement, get engaged,” Walz said in a video shared on X.

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2. Politics Later in Life: After years of teaching, Walz turned to a political career, which started in his 40s. Walz won a spot in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2006 election, defeating Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht, who had served in the House for six terms. The seat won by Walz represented a rural area of Minnesota that often voted Democratic in elections. As a representative, Walz was viewed as a moderate Democrat. Walz was reelected to his House seat in several elections.

He moved from Congress to governor, winning the 2018 election. Walz has served as governor of Minnesota since 2019, winning reelection in the 2022.

3. Inspiration for Politics: Now a politician for nearly 20 years, Walz began his political career working for John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. Walz began working on the presidential campaign after witnessing some of his school students being questioned by security for having Kerry stickers while attending a campaign rally for President George W. Bush, as reported by MinnPost.

The event spurred Walz to become active in Kerry’s campaign and later run against a Republican incumbent for a seat in the House of Representatives.

4. National Guard: Walz joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17 and would serve 24 years of military service. The Minnesota governor recalled in a previous interview that he drove 30 miles with a military recruiter to a field in northern Nebraska where a farmer, who was also in the Army National Guard, helped swear him into service.

"And we did the oath of enlistment right there on the edge of a field with the recruiter and that led me on a 24-year journey," Walz said, as reported by MPR News.

Walz went to Georgia for basic training and spent time in Arkansas, Texas, the Arctic Circle and other locations during his time in the National Guard.

"You go where you're told to go."

The Minnesota governor spent time overseas as part of active duty, including in Europe after 9/11 and also was part of national disaster efforts like floods and tornadoes.

Walz did not spend time in combat, but suffered hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of his time in the military.

"I'm certainly proud of my military service, but it's one piece of me. It doesn't define me."

Walz is the son of a Korean War veteran who encouraged him to sign up for military service.

5. Gun Rights: During his time in Congress, Walz was a strong supporter of gun rights and was endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA). The Minnesota governor later denounced the NRA after the Parkland school shooting in 2018 and announced that his previous NRA donation contribution amounts would be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The change was sparked by his then 17-year-old daughter, who urged her father to do more to help prevent gun violence, including in schools.

As a gun owner, Walz has fought for gun rights while also being an advocate for gun regulation and safety. Walz acknowledged being a veteran, hunter and gun owner, but also being a dad in a tweet about gun safety.

"I know basic gun safety isn't a threat to my rights. It's about keeping kids safe," Walz said last month. "I had an A rating from the NRA. Now I get straight F's. And I sleep just fine."

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Photo: Wikimedia