Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) were initially more prominent contenders, but Walz emerged as a strong alternative for the vice presidential candidacy.
With the campaign kicking off this Tuesday, Walz will accompany Harris on a series of events across multiple states. Harris, in her announcement, highlighted both Walz’s track record and his deep connection to his family, stating, “What impressed me most about Tim is his unwavering commitment to his family: Gwen, Gus, and Hope.”
Gwen Walz, who was born in Glencoe, Minnesota, and raised in the western part of the state with three sisters, has always had strong ties to her home state. She pursued higher education at Gustavus Adolphus College and Minnesota State University.
Her career began in education, where she met Tim while teaching in western Nebraska. Gwen’s passion for education is well-documented; she has taught in various settings, including public, alternative, and migrant schools. Her professional journey also includes roles as an administrator in Mankato Area Public Schools, where she worked to close the achievement gap and enhance educational equity.
Additionally, she has been a vocal advocate for prison education reform and supports initiatives like The Bard Prison Initiative, which provides college education to incarcerated individuals, a model she is eager to introduce to Minnesota.
Married in 1994, the Walzes have two children, Hope and Gus. They have been open about their struggles with fertility, a journey that inspired the name of their daughter, Hope. The Harris campaign underscored this personal aspect of their lives in its announcement, emphasizing Tim Walz’s commitment to expanding access to fertility treatments and healthcare for all Americans.
