Kamala Harris VP pick Tim Walz has some — but not many — ties to Arizona. What to know

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will appear in Phoenix Friday as presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' running-mate.

Walz has only a few ties to Arizona but has publicly commented on some state issues and visited the Valley in the past.

Harris chose Walz Tuesday to be her vice president in her short campaign. The pair are on a cross-country tour of battleground states this week, making stops in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada.

Their visit to Phoenix will be the second-to-last stop on the tour.

Here’s what you should know about Walz’s connections to Arizona.

Has Tim Walz ever visited Phoenix before?

Yes, and he visited Phoenix recently. The Democratic Governors Association in December 2023 elected Walz as chair at its annual meeting in Phoenix.

The organization’s aim is to help elect Democratic candidates.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, who is in the association with Walz, said Tuesday that Harris’s decision to pick him as her running mate was right.

“I’ve had the chance to work with him directly on many issues and have seen firsthand his dedication to the American people, and I know — the governors know what it takes to deliver for their states. And I am confident that Governor Walz and Vice President Harris will deliver for Arizonans,” Hobbs told the media on Tuesday.

Which Arizona politicians has Walz worked with?

Walz worked as a member of the U.S. House from 2007 until 2019 when he resigned to become governor. A few of Arizona's current U.S. representatives were in office with him.

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who has served on the U.S. House since 2015, said Walz will continue to serve the country well in his new role.

“@tim_walz served our country for 24 years as a National Guardsman. Serving together in the House, I saw firsthand how he’s willing to work with anyone to fight for our kids, our veterans, and our future — and our country is better off because of it,” Gallego posted Tuesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who was also in the House with Walz, said Tuesday on X that Tim Walz “let his state burn” as governor during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests across the nation. U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., also served with Walz during his last term.

What Arizona issues has Walz commented on in the past?

As a former high school teacher and football coach, Walz frequently advocates for public education.

Minnesota lawmakers approved free school lunches for all K-12 students last year and is backed by the state’s largest labor groups.

Walz voiced support in 2018 for teachers in Arizona who wore red and marched for higher pay as part of the #RedForEd movement.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's what you should know about Tim Walz's connections to Arizona