Tim Walz Bio

8/6/24

Tim Walz Bio by Pam P.

1964 - Born in West Point, Nebraska – age 60. Grew up in Valentine, a rural north west Nebraska community. During the summer, he worked on his family’s farm. His father was public school administrator who got his college education through the GI Bill. He encouraged Tim to do the same. His dad died of cancer when Tim was 19.

1981 – At age 17, Tim joined the Army National Guard, serving 24 years. At various times, he was deployed oversees

1982 – Graduated from high school. There were 25 in his graduating class including several cousins. After graduating, he worked in agriculture and manufacturing.

1989 – Earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies from Chadron State College. He became a high school teacher and spent a year teaching in China through a Harvard University exchange program.

1989 – Named Nebraska Citizen Soldier of the Year.

1994 – Married fellow teacher Gwen Whipple. She taught English. Tim and Gwen have two children, Hope (made possible by IVF) and Gus.

1996 – Tim and Gwen moved to Mankato, Minnesota where he taught Geography and was a football coach.

• 1999 – Helped coach football team that went from a record of 0 wins to State Champions in 3 years.

• 1999 – Agreed to be the faculty advisor of the first gay-straight student alliance at Mankato West High School.

• He and Gwen also led student trips to China.

2001 – Tim earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

After 9/11/2001 – Tim was deployed for 6 months to Europe to support Operation Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to Sergeant Major.

2005 – Tim retired from the Army National Guard as a Master Sergeant.

2006 – Tim ran for Congress and won. He was a tireless advocate for veterans. Re-elected in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, & 2016. (Served 12 years in Congress)

• Served on Agriculture, Veteran’s Affairs, Armed Services Committees. Highest ranking enlisted service member in Congress.

• Opposed Bush’s plan to increase troop levels in Iraq.

• Co-sponsored a bill to raise minimum wages during first few weeks in Congress.

• Voted for stem-cell research.

• Voted to allow Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies.

• Voiced support for pay-as-you-go budget rules – new spending or tax changes wouldn’t add to the deficit.

• Voted against Act to Prohibit Federal Funded Abortion Services.

• Voted to advance the Affordable Care Act out of the House.

• Voted to continue military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Voted against TARP (to purchase assets from financial institutions).

• Received a 100% rating from the National Organization of Women in 2007, International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 2009-10, American Immigration Lawyers Association in 2009-2010, AFL-CIO in 2010, Civil Liberties Union in 2011, and Planned Parenthood in 2012.

• The Lugar Center & McCourt School of Public Policy ranked him 7th (out of 435) most bi-partisan House member in the 114th Congress. The ranking measures how often their bills attract co-sponsors from the opposite party and how often they co-sponsor bills by members of the opposite party.

2018 – Elected Governor of Minnesota. Re-elected in 2022. Has served almost 6 years. Prioritized making Minnesota the best state in the country to raise a family.

• Got justice for George Floyd by moving the case to the State justice department.

• Called in thousands of National Guard soldiers and state troopers to police the Twin Cities during riots after murder of George Floyd. Drew some criticism for doing so a day or so too late to prevent the burning of a police precinct and looting of several businesses.

• Convened special legislative session for police reform and accountability.

• Negotiated largest investment in public education in Minnesota history.

• Created thousands of new pre-K seats.

• Cut taxes with every budget – tax rebates for seniors, students, workers and middle class families; lowered taxes for small businesses; exempted Social Security from state taxes for over 75% of seniors.

• Provided universal free school breakfast and lunch for students, knowing students cannot learn when they are hungry.

• Signed legislation making Minnesota the first state guaranteeing reproductive freedom.

• Protected trans-gender individuals and gender-affirming care; banning cruel and outdated conversion therapy.

• Required paid family and medical leave benefits for workers.

• Banned non-compete agreements.

• Legislation requiring universal background check and establishing red-flag laws.

• Signed largest infrastructure bill in Minnesota history.

• Signed new mandates for utility companies to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

• Legalized cannabis.

• Restored voter rights to the formerly incarcerated.

• Signed various consumer protection laws.

2024 – Tim Walz is currently head of the Democratic Governors’ Association.