What to know about Gwen Walz, wife of Dem VP pick Tim Walz
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Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen Walz, celebrate while entering his election night party on Aug. 14, 2018 in St Paul, Minnesota. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Gwen Walz, the wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, who could be the nation's next second lady, has been making waves at the DNC.
The big picture: Minnesota first lady Walz, a lifelong educator, has been actively involved in her husband's political career and could bring that same commitment to his next post if he's elected as vice president as part of Kamala Harris' bid for the White House.
- She created a buzz when she headlined the Illinois delegation breakfast earlier this week, where she relayed stories of working with her husband in adjoining classrooms, and again at the Democratic National Convention. Highlights included her animated reaction to former President Obama's joke during his speech about her husband's flannel shirts.
- Walz introduced her husband, Gov. Walz, in a video played during the DNC Wednesday, saying: "Tim's commitment to service all comes back to the values we grew up with: love your country, help your neighbor, and fight for what's right. Because that's what America is all about."
Background
Walz lives in St. Paul with her husband and their two children, Hope, 23, and Gus, 17.
- She's a lifelong Minnesotan, raised by parents who were educators and small business owners, according to her official biography page.
- Walz received degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and Minnesota State University in Mankato.
- She began her career teaching English in Nebraska, where she met her husband, who was a teacher at the same high school. They married in 1994.
- When the pair returned to Minnesota, they continued teaching while Tim coached football and Gwen coached the cheer team, per the Star Tribune.
Career as an educator
Walz has taught in public, alternative and migrant schools.
- She worked as an administrator and coordinator in the Mankato Area Public Schools for more than two decades. There she sought to "eliminate the achievement gap and strive for more equity and access within education systems," per her biography page.
- She's also an advocate for "exemplary education in America's prisons," the biography states.
Minnesota's first lady
As Minnesota's 39th first lady, Walz took on an active policy role within the State Capitol, where she established a physical office, a first for the spouse of a Minnesota governor.
- In her time as first lady, she's worked on criminal justice reform and education policy, particularly focusing on bringing educational opportunities to people in prison.
- Walz led a task force aimed at cutting the likelihood of convicted criminals committing other crimes once released by incorporating housing and education opportunities for the formerly incarcerated.
What they're saying
- "I can't wait for all of you, and America, to get to know my incredible wife, Gwen, a 29-year public school educator," Tim Walz said at his debut campaign event Tuesday.
- "Don't ever underestimate teachers," he added.
Go deeper:
- What to know about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
- Who would replace Tim Walz as Minnesota governor
- "Not going back": Walz formally accepts Democratic VP nomination
Editor's note: This article has been updated with details from the DNC.
