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/
August 6, 2008 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on The Farmfest Congressional Forum near Redwood Falls. Two incumbents were there, Democrats Collin Peterson and Tim Walz; as well as a number of challengers from several congressional races around the state. During the forum at the annual agricultural show, the candidates spent most of their time on the federal farm program and the nation's energy policy.
August 25, 2008 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Congressman Tim Walz, of Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, about his views on bi-partisan approach to energy policy and offshore drilling strategies, including royalty payments that would then be used to alternative energy research and environmental protection.
August 28, 2008 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy interviews Congressman Tim Walz at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Walz is from the 1st Congressional District in southern Minnesota. Walz was elected back in 2006 in a surprise upset of a longtime Republican incumbent. He thinks Barack Obama's message will play well in rural areas, but he acknowledges there's still work to be done
October 2, 2008 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews DFL 1st District Congressman Tim Walz about bailout bill making its way through Congress. He says the bill passed by the U.S. Senate is better than the one the House rejected earlier this week, but he's still planning to vote against it.
October 9, 2008 - MPR’s Sea Stachura reports on Democratic Representative Tim Walz facing off against his challenger Republican Dr. Brian Davis in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District race. The two provided a stark contrast in style and approach in their first debate. Walz and Davis disagreed on energy, social security and healthcare.
October 14, 2008 - As part of the Meet the Candidate series, Midday presents Minnesota 1st Congressional District debate between incumbent DFL Representative Tim Walz and his Republican challenger Brian Davis as they met in Mankato to debate the issues. Walz and Davis spar on topics of economy, energy, foreign policy, social security, and healthcare.
July 23, 2009 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with Democratic U.S. Representative Tim Walz, of Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, about his and Mayo Clinic’s push for Medicare reform in health bill.
August 19, 2009 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz is holding a town meeting on health care reform in Mankato. In advance of that meeting, he joins Midday to talk about healthcare reform and other issues facing Congress.
August 21, 2009 - MPR’s Jess Mador reports on how the health care debate continues to be contentious, with town hall meetings across the country devolving into shouting matches. Things were just as noisy but slightly more polite in Mankato, where hundreds of people packed a high school auditorium to participate in a town hall forum on health care sponsored by Congressman Tim Walz.
September 9, 2009 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer chats via phone with Minnesota DFL Congressman about his latest visit to Afghanistan and the war effort there. Walz also discusses President Obama’s upcoming speech on healthcare debate.