Early Life and Education of Tim Walz: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Tim Walz. From birth to education, explore key events.
Tim Walz is an American politician currently serving as the 41st Governor of Minnesota since 2019. A former educator and retired U.S. Army non-commissioned officer, Walz also served as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district from 2007 to 2019. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
April 6, 1964: Birth of Tim Walz
On April 6, 1964, Timothy James Walz was born. He would later become a politician, educator, and governor of Minnesota.
1981: Enlisted in National Guard
In 1981, Tim Walz enlisted in the National Guard, beginning his 24-year military career.
1982: Graduated from Butte High School
In 1982, Tim Walz graduated from Butte High School.
January 1984: Death of Father
In January 1984, Tim Walz's father passed away, leaving his mother and younger brother dependent on Social Security.
1987: Returned to Chadron State College
In 1987, Tim Walz returned to Chadron State College to continue his education.
August 1989: Began Teaching Position in China
In August 1989, Tim Walz began a one-year teaching position with WorldTeach at Foshan No.1 High School in Guangdong, China, following the Tiananmen Square protests.
1989: Graduated from Chadron State College
In 1989, Tim Walz graduated from Chadron State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in social science education.
June 4, 1994: Marriage to Gwen Whipple
On June 4, 1994, Tim Walz married Gwen Whipple.
1994: Married Gwen Whipple
In 1994, Tim Walz married Gwen Whipple, a fellow teacher.
1999: Faculty Advisor of Gay-Straight Alliance
In 1999, Tim Walz became the faculty advisor of Mankato West High School's first gay-straight alliance.
September 11, 2001: Reenlisted in the Guard
On September 11, 2001, Tim Walz reenlisted in the Guard, citing the attacks as the reason.
2002: Earned Master's Degree
In 2002, Tim Walz earned a master of science in experiential education from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
August 2004: Volunteered for Kerry's Presidential Campaign
In August 2004, Tim Walz first became active in politics when he volunteered for John Kerry's presidential campaign and was appointed the Kerry campaign's coordinator for his county as well as a district coordinator of Vets for Kerry.
January 2005: Completed Camp Wellstone Course
In January 2005, Tim Walz completed the three-day campaigns and elections crash course at Camp Wellstone.
February 10, 2005: Filed to Run for U.S. House
On February 10, 2005, Tim Walz filed official documents to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
May 2005: Military Retirement
In May 2005, Tim Walz retired from military service to focus on his campaign for Congress and avoid violating the Hatch Act.
March 2006: Took Leave of Absence
In March 2006, Tim Walz took a leave of absence from teaching to run for Congress.
2006: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2006, Tim Walz was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota's 1st congressional district, defeating Gil Gutknecht.
2007: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2007, Tim Walz became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
2008: Re-elected to the House
In 2008, Tim Walz was reelected to the House with 62% of the vote.
February 2009: Speech on importance of education
In a February 2009 speech, Tim Walz emphasized the importance of providing the best education possible for American children to ensure a solid base for the nation's economic future.
2010: Won Third Term in House
In 2010, Tim Walz won a third term in the House with 49% of the vote.
2012: Re-elected to the House
In 2012, Tim Walz was reelected to the House by a comfortable margin.
2014: Re-elected to the House
In 2014, Tim Walz was reelected to the House by a comfortable margin.
2016: Narrowly Re-elected to Sixth Term
In 2016, Tim Walz was narrowly re-elected to a sixth term, defeating Republican Jim Hagedorn.
2018: Did Not Seek Seventh Term
In 2018, Tim Walz did not seek a seventh term and instead ran for governor.
2018: Elected Governor of Minnesota
In 2018, Tim Walz was elected governor of Minnesota.
2019: Became Governor of Minnesota
In 2019, Tim Walz began his service as the 41st governor of Minnesota.
May 26, 2020: Demanded justice for George Floyd
On May 26, 2020, Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan demanded justice and called the video of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck "disturbing".
2022: Re-elected Governor of Minnesota
In 2022, Tim Walz was re-elected as governor of Minnesota.
August 2023: Cat Went Missing
Tim Walz's cat, Afton, went missing in August 2023.
October 2023: Joined UAW Picket Line
In October 2023, Tim Walz joined the striking United Auto Workers' picket line.
December 2023: Adopted New Cat
In December 2023, Tim Walz adopted a new cat named Honey.
2023: Approved increased spending on education
In 2023, Tim Walz and the state legislature approved increased spending on K-12 and early education, including additional funding and linking state education funding to inflation. Walz also helped make permanent a funding program to supplement child care worker wages by $316 million and signed a bill that gave all students free school meals regardless of income.
2023: Signed the Minnesota READ Act
In 2023, Tim Walz signed into law the Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (the READ Act), with the goal to have "every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten, and to support multilingual learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals."
March 2024: CNN Interview on Abortion
In a March 2024 interview with CNN's Kaitlin Collins, Tim Walz discussed abortion rights, emphasizing the need to "trust women to make their own health care decisions".
August 6, 2024: Announced as Vice Presidential Running Mate
On August 6, 2024, Kamala Harris announced Tim Walz as her running mate in the 2024 election.
August 2024: Addressed AFSCME
Addressing the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in August 2024, Tim Walz stated, "when unions are strong, America is strong."
August 2024: Education Pipeline grants for workforce
In August 2024, Tim Walz had announced nearly $10 million to support Minnesota's special education workforce with The Education Pipeline grants, awarded by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). The program will support and train special education teachers in over 35 districts, charter schools, and cooperatives.
2024: Democratic Nominee for Vice President
In 2024, Tim Walz was the Democratic nominee for vice president of the United States.
