Tim Walz: podcast appearances and interviews

Tim Walz is an American politician and former educator who has served as the 41st governor of Minnesota since 2019. Prior to his governorship, he represented Minnesota's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019. Walz is affiliated with the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, which aligns with the national Democratic Party, and he was the party's vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election. Born in West Point, Nebraska, in 1964, Walz grew up in Valentine, Nebraska. After graduating from Butte High School in 1982, he joined the Army National Guard and worked in a factory. He later earned degrees from Chadron State College, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Before entering politics, Walz was a high school social studies teacher and football coach. He was first elected to Congress in 2006, defeating incumbent Gil Gutknecht, and was reelected five times. During his congressional tenure, he served as the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee from 2017 to 2019. As governor, Walz oversaw Minnesota's response to protests and riots related to the murder of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic. His legislative efforts include signing a range of progressive bills such as voting rights restoration for felons, driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, and marijuana legalization. In 2024, he was announced as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate but the ticket was defeated by the Republican candidates. Walz initially sought a third term in 2026 but withdrew amid investigations into social services fraud. He announced he would not seek elected office again after completing his term and founded Small Town PAC in April 2026.