Meet Tim Walz, Minnesota's 41st Governor

Early Life and Career

Timothy James "Tim" Walz was born on April 6, 1964, in Red Wing, Minnesota. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army National Guard for 24 years.

Before entering politics, Walz worked as a high school social studies teacher.

Political Career

Walz was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, representing Minnesota's 1st Congressional District.

He served in the House for 12 years, focusing on issues such as veterans affairs, education, and agriculture.

Governorship

Walz was elected Governor of Minnesota in 2018, defeating Republican candidate Jeff Johnson.

In 2022, he won re-election, becoming the first Democratic governor to be re-elected in Minnesota in 40 years.

Accomplishments

During his time as governor, Walz has signed several significant pieces of legislation, including:

• The One Minnesota Budget, which invests in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
• The Clean Energy First Act, which aims to transition Minnesota to 100% clean energy by 2050.
• The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides workers with paid time off for family and medical reasons.

Recognition

Walz has received recognition for his leadership, including being named one of TIME magazine's "100 Most Influential People" in 2020.

He was also awarded the National Governors Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2021 for his efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.