How old is Tim Walz? What to know about Kamala Harris' running mate
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, or Timothy James Walz, as her running mate on Tuesday, choosing a progressive yet plain-spoken VP candidate from America’s heartland to help her win over rural, white voters.
Here's what to know about the Minnesotan.
How old is Tim Walz?
Walz is 60 years old, born on April 6, 1964.
Yes, he's younger than the award-winning actor and Oklahoman Brad Pitt, who turn 61 on Dec. 18.
Where is Tim Walz from?
Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, and grew up in Valentine, Nebraska.
How long was Tim Walz in the military?
Walz joined the National Guard at 17 and served for 24 years. He earned a social science degree at Chadron State College in 1989 and a Master of Science in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001.
Tim Walz taught social studies, coached a championship team, led gay-straight alliance
After college, Walz began his teaching career in South Dakota at a Native American reservation, then spent a year teaching in China, before returning home to the Cornhusker State.
He and his wife, fellow teacher Gwen Whipple, moved again to her home state of Minnesota in 1996.
Walz taught social studies and geography at Mankato West High School in southern Minnesota, where he was also a football coach and helped lead the team to their first state championship.
When a student at Mankato West wanted to start the school’s first gay-straight alliance club in 1999, Walz agreed to be the group’s faculty adviser.
Tim Walz's political career
Walz made the shift from educator to politician in 2006. He ran for a seat in the U.S. House, flipping what had been a reliably Republican district in southern Minnesota.
Six terms later, Walz set his sights on governor where he was elected Minnesota's 41st governor.
He served as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's first district, serving six terms in the House from 2007 to 2019. He was elected Minnesota's 41st governor and his tenure began in 2019.
Why are critics calling Tim Walz 'Tampon Tim'?
Supporters of former president Donald Trump have given Harris' running mate a new nickname, "Tampon Tim."
The name references a bill Walz signed last year requiring Minnesota schools to provide free menstrual products in all public school bathrooms used by students in grades 4 to 12.