Aug 22, 2024 - Politics
Walz, Minnesota take center stage in Chicago
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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 and former 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.
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.
👋 1 Minnesota goodbye to go: The state's delegates, who carried large cutouts of Walz's face, were among the last to leave United Center.
More coverage: Tim Walz's "aww shucks" force field