Tim Walz, a politician, teacher, and National Guard member was born April 6, 1964, in West Point, Nebraska. Raised in small-town Nebraska, Walz graduated from a public high school, followed by attending Chadron State College and also has a degree from what is now known as Minnesota State University in Mankato.
As a teacher, Walz taught social studies and civics in Nebraska and Minnesota. He also coached high school football.
Walz was a member of the Army National Guard, achieving a high rank for an enlisted member before retiring in 2005 after 24 years.
Walz was elected as a Democrat in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District in 2006 and reelected to five more terms. He won Minnesota governorship in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He also is currently chair of the Democratic Governors Association.
An all-Democratic power structure at Minnesota’s Capitol in recent years has given Walz the ability to deliver a stream of policies celebrated in progressive circles, ranging from abortion protections to universal school meals to marijuana legalization. But his tenure includes stumbles and challenges – from dealing with COVID-19 disruptions to unrest sparked by George Floyd’s murder to suggestions his administration hasn’t always been attentive to where tax dollars go.
More recent Walz audio highlights of can be found at https://www.mprnews.org/politics/tim-walz and the MPR News homepage https://www.mprnews.org/
October 4, 2006 - MPR’s Sea Stachura reports on the race in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. The contest features two very different candidates…incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht faces DFL challenger Tim Walz. Renewable energy, Iraq war, taxes, budget spending, and healthcare are topics of debate between the two candidates.
October 25, 2006 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on a tighter than expected race in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Incumbent Republican candidate Gil Gutknecht is finding a strong opponent in DFL candidate Tim Walz.
October 31, 2006 - Midday presents a broadcast of KSMQ 1st District debate between incumbent Republican candidate Gil Gutknecht and DFL candidate Tim Walz. Gutknecht and Walz sparred over issues ranging from the Iraq war to the controversial DM&E railroad extension that would run through Rochester.
November 8, 2006 - MPR's Mark Steil reports on how Democrat Tim Walz spent his first day as 1st District congressman-elect with family and supporters in Mankato. Walz beat six-term Republican Gil Gutknecht in 2008’ election. Walz says he's in debt to a number of supporters, many of whom are enthusiastic high school and college students.
November 8, 2006 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Sam Hurd, a student at Mankato West High School West, who took a geography class with Tim Walz as his teacher. Hurd describes the experience, noting Walz as both ‘worldy’ and ‘normal guy.’
November 8, 2006 - In one of the state's biggest election upsets, Minnesota's 1st Congressional District has gone democratic, with first time candidate Tim Walz winning the race with 53% of the vote. He defeated Republican six-term incumbent Gil Gutknecht.
January 4, 2007 - As three new members of the House from Minnesotan are to be sworn into office, MPR’s Mark Zdechlik presents this profile on them. The three will bring diverse backgrounds and political ideologies to Congress…but Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, and Michelle Bachman all say they'll keep the interests of Minnesotans in the forefront as they begin their careers in Congress.
January 12, 2007 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Steven Schier, professor of political science at Carleton College and director of Carleton in Washington program about Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz to give weekly Democrat radio address. He is to comment on President Bush’s call to increase troops in Iraq.
January 25, 2007 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with newly-elected U.S. Congressman Tim Walz, who represents the Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. Walz discusses his new role and speaks on topics agriculture, colleagues, veterans, and the Iraq war.
February 15, 2007 - All Things Considered presents remarks from Minnesota's 1st District Representative Tim Walz as the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. debate a non-binding resolution opposing President Bush’s troop-build up in Iraq. Members of Congress have been taking to the House floor to give their position on the resolution...which cannot be amended.