Presidential candidate Kamala Harris recently announced that her choice for Vice President is Minnesota’s 41st Governor, Tim Walz. Walz’s lengthy career has kept him close to his community in many roles. He served twenty four years in the U.S National Guard, making rank to Command Sergeant Major, trained in heavy artillery and disaster response. With his Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, he was a dedicated high school teacher and football coach. Walz believes the morals and disciplines that he has learned in the military, as a teacher, as a governor, and as a coach, are all transferable skills that play a role in his work ethic as potential Vice President of the United States. Walz was elected to U.S House of Representatives for Minnesota’s first congressional district back in 2006, then was re-elected five times before becoming the Governor of Minnesota. He’s actually the least wealthiest candidate in history, living solely off his salary as Governor, and his wife’s salary as a teacher. Many people have both supported and questioned Harris’s choice to run with Tim Walz. A ripple effect of disbelief came from those who are against what they consider to be questionable decisions he made as Governor, that are completely opposite of the ideas he is now pushing as a Vice President candidate. In 2023, Walz initiated and signed several bills that seemingly improved things like extended paid leave for blue collar workers, banning non-compete agreements, making environmental changes, tax modifications, amongst other things. Yet, unhappy Minnesota residents say that many of the bills he signed did more harm than good, leaving sensitive populations like blue collar workers, seniors, and the LGBTQ community susceptible to harm, discrimination, and other losses. There’s still an uproar of support for Walz and Harris working together despite all of the criticism. As a team they stand ten toes down in agreement with some of the country’s most important topics, and are bringing these issues directly to the public on their three month tour before elections.
Pressing Issues
Tim Walz has made it clear that he is in perfect harmony with Kamala on some of America’s most pressing, divisive issues. Walz has been very open in the support of women having access to healthcare options that fit their beliefs and/or special circumstances, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. Walz made a potent statement on gun safety during his acceptance speech, stating there should be “common sense gun laws” in place to keep our homes, schools, and families safe. Common sense gun reform would require a background check on people purchasing firearms, a waiting period before they receive their gun, and a limit of ten rounds of ammunition being allowed for purchase at a time. It also bans assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Noted Work and Backlash As Governor
- Won District 1 in 2006 with a 62% vote.
- Made Educational Travel Adventures from 1994-2003, a program helping HS students study overseas.
- Signed Protect Reproductive Options Act in 2023.
- Built new Fire Hall in Dilworth, Minnesota
- Built new water treatment plant in Mankato, Minnesota.
- Advocated for free school meals for all children of all ages in every school.
- Signed the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act that mandates medical providers to give medically necessary treatments to those who can’t afford it.
- Signed House File 100 for recreational marijuana use.
- Invested $78 into Veteran housing in Hastings, Minnesota.
One of the most recognizable events that brought Tim Walz national attention was his part in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. In 2020, officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota arrested a man named George Floyd after a store clerk accused Floyd of paying for his items with fake money. While detaining him, one of the officers named Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck with his knee, causing his death. It was argued as an excessive, illegal restraint that had the whole world looking at then Governor Tim Walz for a solution. Protests arose after Floyd’s untimely death, in which Walz was criticized by then President Trump for not deploying the National Guard to control the crowds. Under the pressure of multiple U.S leaders, Walz eventually deployed them even though he didn’t deem the protests to be extreme enough for the National Guard’s assistance. That decision left a bitter taste in some residents’ mouths who to this day regard him as heartless. On the other hand, supporters argue that Walz did his due diligence by publicly demanding justice for Floyd and calling out for the release of the video. He then signed a bill that made it illegal for an officer to use the chokehold. He also removed warrior-style training from police programs that encourage hostile responses to the public, and replaced them with educational courses that help officers with better de-escalation tactics and learn how to identify and properly handle people who are autistic or experiencing a mental health crisis. There was also a new department put in place called the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension whose job is to investigate fatal police encounters.
Current President Joe Biden appointed Tim Walz as a Co-Chairman of the Council of Governors in 2002, then moved on to name him the Chair of the Democratic Governors Association in 2023. As 2024 comes to a close, it’s fair to say he’s made his way up the political ladder as the next potential Vice President. His initial speech accepting this position pointed out his thoughts of Trump weakening the U.S economy and taking America backwards. He’s gained attraction by outright calling his opponents “weird and creepy”, and has maintains a strong declaration of loyalty to his and Harris’s commitment to improving the middle class together. “We’ve got 91 days, that’s easy, we’ll sleep when we’re dead. Over those next 91 days, and every day in the White house, I’ll have Vice President Harris’s back, every day, and we’ll have yours. You know we can’t do this alone, we need you. This leader, this compassionate, careful, joyous leader believes in each and every one of you. You came here tonight because you love this country, and you’re not going back. She believes in the promise of America, we just gotta fight. Because as Vice President Harris says, ‘when we fight, we win.’”. Tim Walz has agreed to debate Trump Vice President candidate Joshua D. Vance on CBS News October 1st 2024.
