What to know about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz

• Walz told CNN's "State of the Union" late last month that he "would do what is in the best interest of the country" when asked whether he would serve as Harris' running mate.

Here's what you should know about Walz

Before his governorship

Before stepping into politics, Walz, originally born in Nebraska, served in the National Guard and worked in agriculture and manufacturing. He earned his bachelor's degree from Chadron State College

• He pursued a career in education after taking temporary teaching positions in China and on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the poorest areas in the U.S.
• After the teaching positions, Walz earned a master's degree related to education and eventually taught high school geography and coached football in Mankato, Minnesota.

Walz's entrance into politics:

After volunteering for John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign, Walz decided to run against incumbent Republican Rep. Gil Gutknecht in Minnesota's 1st district in 2006.

• Walz defeated Gutknecht, becoming one of the few Democrats in Congress from a rural district and the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to serve in Congress.
• He served in the House for 12 years before being elected governor in 2018.

Walz confronting unrest and COVID-19

Walz was in office for over a year when two major challenges erupted: the COVID-19 pandemic and rioting after police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis.

• Walz faced questions over how long it took him to send in the National Guard to stop the rioting, looting and arson that plagued the Twin Cities for three nights following Floyd's murder.
• His response to the pandemic was also criticized by Republicans and some small businesses, and one of the nation's largest pandemic fraud cases occurred in Minnesota.

• Those controversies would likely become prime targets for Republicans if Walz was added to the presidential ticket.

Legislative and budgetary victories

Walz won re-election in 2022, while his Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) also won majorities in the state House and Senate, forming a trifecta that allowed Walz and the DFL to pursue a sweeping progressive agenda last year.

• With a huge surplus to spend last year, Walz and the legislature increased spending for welfare programs, education and guaranteed family and medical leave for workers. Middle-class Minnesotans also received tax rebates.
• The spending spree left Minnesota with smaller surpluses in the near term, and a potential shortfall by 2027.
• They also legalized recreational cannabis, added the right to abortion to state law and implemented universal gun background checks.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect Walz was tapped to be Harris' VP.