1964
Walz was born on August 6, 1964, in West Point, Nebraska. His parents, Darlene Reiman and James F. Walz, raised Tim and his three siblings in Valentine, Nebraska and Butte, Nebraska.
“I lived in Butte, a small town of 400 people where community was a way of life,” Walz said in his first speech as Harris’ running mate. “Growing up, I spent summers working on the family farm. My mother and father taught us: Be generous to your neighbors and work for the common good.”
1964
“I will always look up to my dad. He served in the Korean War and worked in my grandparents’ butcher shop as a kid. He worked as hard as anyone I know. And yes, that’s me in the hood,” Walz posted on Facebook about his father James.
1982
Walz graduated from Butte High School in 1982; his yearbook photo still hangs in the Butte Library.
Undated
Young Tim Walz enlisted in the National Guard on his 17th birthday. “I took my oath of service to the National Guard in the middle of a cornfield,” he wrote on Facebook. “Raising my hand to serve was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Undated
Walz served in the National Guard for 24 years.
Late 1990s
From 1996, Walz was a geography teacher at Mankato West High School. His wife Gwen worked as an English teacher.
1999
At Mankato West, he worked as defensive coordinator for their football team and helped the team win the state championship in 1999.
Walz, left, with his football players. “He always said, ‘Are you committed? Do you want to be a football player or someone who plays football? We’re in it! Together!’ That was pretty much the most important thing he brought to the table. The culture of enthusiasm,” one of his players recalled.
2006
In 2006, he was elected to the House of Representatives to represent Minnesota’s 1st congressional district. He served six terms, but in 2018 he declined to seek a seventh term and instead ran for governor.
2009
Here Walz reads to children on Capitol Hill.
2013
According to Congress.gov, during his time in Congress he was the highest-ranking retired soldier ever to serve.
2016
As a Congressman, he served on the Veterans Affairs Committee, the Armed Services Committee, the Agriculture Committee, and the Transportation Committee.
2017
He started running as a hobby in 2014. “Running has become an important part of my routine. It helps me relax and prepare for big events. Before every big event, my team knows to schedule time for me to run 4 to 5 miles. I’ve found that even before the most stressful events, I’m calmer and more relaxed when I go running,” he said. Runners world.
2018
In August 2018, Walz won the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party’s primary for Minnesota’s gubernatorial election and subsequently became governor.
2018
The Walzes cheer on their daughter Hope at the start of her soccer game.
2018
“Hello Bemidji – I just miss my Big Blue Ox!” Walz posted on Facebook.
2019
2019
Walz throws the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers.
2019
In 2017, Walz promised his children they would adopt a dog if he won the election. In 2019, they adopted Scout from Midwest Animal Rescue & Services. “Politicians make a lot of promises on the campaign trail, but none was bigger than the one I made to my children. I’m excited to announce that Minnesota has a new First Dog, and more importantly, I’ve fulfilled my promise to get my son a dog if I’m elected governor,” he said. “I’m proud that Minnesota’s First Dog is a rescue dog, and I hope Scout – who was a very good boy – serves as a reminder to Minnesotans that there are many puppies waiting to be adopted.”
2020
At a 2020 campaign rally, Walz showed off his Minnesota-themed socks and Grateful Dead-themed shoes
Emily Burack (she/her) is the senior news editor of Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals and a variety of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was deputy editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture website. Follow her at @emburack on Þjórsárdalur and Instagram.
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