Tim Walz career timeline: From high school teacher to Kamala Harris' vice-presidential pick
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday.
The Minnesota governor was selected by Harris to join the ticket over a short list of other contenders, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
A former teacher, coach, veteran and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Walz was elected as Minnesota's governor in 2018.
He is expected to be introduced as Harris' running mate at a campaign rally Tuesday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Here's what to know about Tim Walz.
Tim Walz is Kamala Harris' VP pick: Minnesota governor named running mate: Live updates
April 1964: Tim Walz born in West Point, Nebraska
Walz was born April 6, 1964 in West Point, Nebraska. The 60-year-old Minnesota governor grew up in Nebraska, graduating from Butte High School in 1982.
After high school, Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard, according to his Minnesota Governor bio.
He graduated with a bachelor of science in social science education from Chadron State College in 1989. He spent a year teaching abroad before he returned to the U.S. to serve full time in the National Guard, and worked as a high school social studies teacher and football coach.
He graduated with a Master of Science in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001.
1994: Tim and Gwen Walz marry
Walz married his wife, Gwen, in 1994. The couple has two children, Hope and Gus. The family lived in Mankato, Minnesota for nearly 20 years before moving to Saint Paul when he was elected governor.
Gwen Walz, whose maiden name is Whipple, was born in Glencoe, Minnesota and grew up in western Minnesota, according to her Minnesota First Lady website. She met Walz when she was an English teacher in Nebraska, and the couple moved to Mankato, Minnesota in 1996, where they both worked at Mankato West High School .
As teachers, the Walzs established a summer trip to China for their students, traveling there nearly every summer through 2003.
2004: Tim Walz gets involved in politics
Walz began his political career in by volunteering for John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in 2007, beating the incumbent, Republican Gil Gutknecht.
He was reelected in 2008, again in 2010, and in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
2018: Tim Walz elected Minnesota Governor
Walz was elected as Minnesota's governor in 2018, running after former Gov. Mark Dayton announced he would not seek a third term. He won reelection in 2022.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tim Walz timeline: From National Guard to Minnesota governor
