Salient facts about Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ running mate

Tim Walz

Who is Walz?

U.S. Vice President and Democrats’ presidential candidate, Kamala Harris picked Tim Walz as her running mate for the presidency in November.

Below are quick facts about him.

1. Walz is the 41st Governor of Minnesota

2. He was born on 6 April, 1964 and is currently 60 years old

3. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019, representing Minnesota’s 1st congressional district.

4. Walz is an American politician, former U.S. Army non-commissioned officer, and retired educator.

5. Walz joined the Army National Guard and served for 24 years, working in agriculture, manufacturing, and teaching after high school and later graduated from Chadron State College in Nebraska before moving to Minnesota in 1996.

6. He was elected governor of Minnesota on November 6, 2018, defeating the Republican nominee, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson.

7. He was reelected in the 2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election, defeating Republican nominee Scott Jensen.

8. In 1989, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Science Education from Chadron State College.

9. In 1995, he was arrested for a driving under the influence charge, and has been a teetotaler ever since.

10. In 2001, Walz earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

11. Walz was a public school teacher for 20 years and opposed using merit pay for teachers.

12. Walz and his wife, Gwen, married in 1994 and they lived in Mankato, Minnesota, for nearly 20 years before moving to Saint Paul with their two children upon his election as governor.