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/
January 7, 2019 - MPR Special Coverage presents live broadcast of Governor Tim Walz inauguration, along with other constitutional officers, in an event held at the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul.
January 31, 2019 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports that Governor Tim Walz has provided the first details about what will be in a two-year budget package he’ll release. The DFLer told a group of Greater Minnesota mayors to expect a hefty increase in aid from the state. Walz says there is more than that in store for communities beyond the metropolitan area.
February 7, 2019 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports on Governor Walz’s efforts to get up to speed on pressing issues and learn more about legislators who will decide the fate of his agenda. Waves of House members and state senators will be invited to mingle with Governor Walz and a few commissioners at the official Summit Avenue residence.
February 16, 2019 - MPR News Presents a discussion between MPR political reporter Briana Bierschbach and Minnesota's new governor, Tim Walz, at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School. The two talk about the major issues facing the state. Topics include pipeline debate, taxes, environment, transportation, education, voting rights, and state budget.
February 19, 2019 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on Governor Tim Walz releasing a two-year budget plan that provides a big funding boost for schools, raises the gas tax, restores the health care provider tax, and allows a buy-in option for MinnesotaCare. In announcing his first budget recommendations, the DFL governor says his priorities of education, health care and community prosperity reflect the promises he made as a candidate.
February 26, 2019 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on DFL Governor Tim Walz’s release of a $1.3 billion package of public construction projects that he says makes crucial investments across the state. The largest parts of the borrowing plan are for transportation and higher education, but Walz put a special emphasis on spending he wants for affordable housing.
March 5, 2019 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that DFL Governor Tim Walz signed his first two bills, and he suggested the bipartisan agreements could be a model for the rest of the session. Despite frequent calls for “early wins,” lawmakers took two months to put legislation on the new governor’s desk. Neither Walz nor top legislative leaders were sounding disappointed.
April 4, 2019 - MPR’s Brian Bakst breaks down Governor Tim Walz’s first State of the State address. Walz aimed to connect everyday Minnesotans with the policies he’s pursuing in his initial year in office. Faced with the nation's only divided party Legislature, Walz implored lawmakers to put common purpose ahead of partisan ideology.
April 5, 2019 - On this episode of MPR News with Angela Davis, MPR’s Mike Mulcahy talks with DFL Governor Tim Walz about his term so far and how he'll seek agreement with lawmakers on the state's next two-year budget. Walz also answers listener questions.
May 29, 2019 - MPR’s Brian Bierschbach interviews Governor Tim Walz as he prepares to sign an education bill that tops 20 billion dollars, with more budget bill signatures coming. Walz says he believes the state budget moves Minnesota forward even though he had to leave some priorities behind.