Stolen valor allegations, a resurfaced DUI arrest and a controversial tampon policy have plagued Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's entry onto the 2024 Democratic ticket.
Being chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate thrust him into the spotlight, exposed to both praise and scorn from the media and leading those unfamiliar with his record to wonder: Who exactly is Tim Walz?
Fox Nation's latest special sets out to answer that question, diving into the political career of the former geography teacher and veteran who could become the next vice president, if Harris emerges victorious this November.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS NAMES MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AS HER BALLOT MATE
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to reporters after a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on July 3, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
As the Fox Nation special explores, the Nebraska-born Minnesota Democrat began his political career as county coordinator for then-Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004. He then cruised to a victory over his opponent, a 12-year incumbent, in a House race in 2006 with the support of Teamsters and other unions and went on to serve six terms in Congress, setting the stage for his even later run for governor.
“His district went from purple to red, but his voting record is completely blue,” Fox News' Brian Kilmeade explained during the special.
“We're talking about gender-affirming attention, throwing huge amounts of money at public schools, thinking that's going to solve problems,” said Fox News contributor Joe Concha, highlighting a common criticism among conservatives that Walz is overly progressive.
“But the most important thing is to believe that the US government should spend trillions of dollars to combat the climate crisis,” he continued.
Walz beat out a number of top Democrats in the race for vice president, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, raising the question: What does he bring to the ticket?
FIVE CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE TIM WALZ, FROM DRIVING WITH CASH TO COVID FRAUD
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is greeted by Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz before she delivers remarks at a campaign event, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
“I have no idea,” Concha said.
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To some, he seems like a relatable Midwesterner, a feat that could appeal to voters in key swing states. He grew up in a small town in Nebraska, enlisted in the military, attended a state university and became a teacher.
After meeting and marrying his wife, Gwen, the duo returned to their home state of Minnesota.
“This is someone you could have a great relationship with in the key states that matter,” Concha added.
But other stains on his past have resurfaced, including his 1995 arrest for drunken driving. While some see that as problematic, others see it as a story of redemption, including Democratic strategist Kevin Walling.
Republicans, such as Trump's running mate JD Vance, are also questioning the timing of Walz's departure from the military in 2005, just before his unit was deployed to Iraq.
TIM WALZ 'WAS WRONG' ABOUT USE OF GUNS 'IN WAR,' HARRIS CAMPAIGN SAYS: REPORT
As governor, however, Walz has had a front-row seat for every news event of recent years — the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter riots that followed the death of George Floyd in 2020, among others.
Republicans have repeatedly criticized him for his progressive stances on both issues and others such as abortion and immigration.
But after President Biden's poor performance in the debate against Donald Trump sent his re-election bid into a downward spiral, Kamala Harris took the reins as the presumptive nominee, leaving her to decide who would be her second-in-command if she becomes president.
“[He’s] “He really came across as a happy warrior, as someone who's not going to overshadow the top guys on the roster,” Walling said.
For more on the Democratic vice presidential nominee, sign up for Fox Nation and start streaming “Who Is Tim Walz?” today.
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