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/
May 20, 2013 - MPR presents a speech and commentary from U.S. Representative Tim Walz, a Democrat who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz tells the audience during a recent speech at the University of Minnesota that if America cares about national security, it needs to maintain moral authority in the world and address the complex issues involved in the use of drones.
September 3, 2013 - The Obama administration trying to line up support on Capitol Hill for some sort of military action against Syria. In the House of Representatives, leaders from both parties now say they support U.S. action, but rank-and-file members of Congress are less sure.
September 6, 2013 - With votes on authorizing military strikes against Syria on the possible horizon, members of Congress are getting a lot of pressure from many directions. MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports that during a public lunch meeting, DFL 1st District Congressman Tim Walz got an earful from more than 100 of his constituents in St. Peter.
May 2, 2014 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports that battle for Minnesota’s 1st District is brewing as Republican Aaron Miller looks to challenge incumbent DFL Congressman Tim Walz. Republicans hope to press mid-term dissatisfaction by leveraging President Barack Obama's low approval ratings and skepticism over his Affordable Care Act against Democrats. Walz is leaning into accomplishments he’s made in the House, despite the gridlock.
May 30, 2014 - All Things Considered’s Tom Cramm talks with DFL Congressman Tim Walz about his perspective on the resignation of Eric Shinseki as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs and on the larger VA investigations. Walz had called for Shinseki’s resignation after a VA scandal in Phoenix, Arizona.
July 30, 2014 - The Daily Circuit’s Tom Weber talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st District and sits on the House Veterans Affairs committee, about what the VA needs to change and whether a $17 billion fix from Congress can do the job. The two also discuss the latest rules governing the safety of oil trains. 50 oil trains a week pass through Minnesota.
October 24, 2014 - MPR presents the final debate for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District between DFL Congressman Tim Walz and his Republican challenger Jim Hagerdorn. The two debated many of the major issues facing Minnesotans...the debt, social security, agriculture, health care and immigration.
December 5, 2014 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews U.S. Representative Tim Walz on the issue of veteran suicide, and the efforts in Washington D.C. to address it. Those efforts include legislation sponsored by Walz, called the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act. It's a bipartisan effort, with companion legislation in the Senate sponsored by John McCain.
February 2, 2015 - President Obama has signed the The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act into law. All Things Considered’s Tom Crann speaks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who was present at the signing ceremony. Walz sponsored the act in the House.
August 24, 2015 - On this segment of MPR News with Tom Weber, a conversation with U.S. Representative Tim Walz regarding the efforts and challenges of enacted VA reform bill, debt limit expiration, and possible Iran nuclear deal.