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Tim Walz: Minnesota's 41st Governor

Early Life and Career

Timothy James Walz (born April 6, 1964) is an American politician, former schoolteacher, and retired U.S. Army non-commissioned officer who has served as the 41st and current governor of Minnesota since 2019. Before entering politics, Walz taught social studies for 20 years.

Military Service

Before becoming a teacher, Walz served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army for 24 years, including tours of duty in Germany, South Korea, and Iraq. He attained the rank of command sergeant major before retiring in 2005.

Political Career

Walz began his political career in 2006 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Minnesota's 1st congressional district. He served six terms in Congress before running for governor in 2018.

Governorship

In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Walz defeated Republican candidate Jeff Johnson with 53.8% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2022, defeating Republican challenger Scott Jensen with 52.3% of the vote. As governor, Walz has focused on issues such as education, healthcare, and climate change. He has also been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.

Personal Life

Walz is married to Gwen Walz, and they have two children. He is a graduate of Creighton University and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.