Gov. Tim Walz leaned heavily into his personal story last night as he formally accepted the Democratic Party's vice presidential nomination.
The Minnesota moments: Mankato West alums appeared in a video and on stage, donning their red and white Scarlets jerseys. John Legend performed Prince's "Let's Go Crazy."
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar andformer Walz student Ben Ingman gave introductory remarks.
Nic Zapko, the ASL interpreter who was a frequent presence during the governor's pandemic updates, appeared on the jumbotron to sign the speech.
Mankato West alums kicked off Walz's speech. Photo: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Inside the room: Delegates waved red, white, and blue "Coach Walz" signs from the floor, cheering loudly at mentions of new state laws on book bans and universal school meals.
Cameras captured his wife and kids overcome with emotion in their seats. Video of his son Gus standing and saying, "That's my dad" through sobs went viral.