On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for president. The Democratic presidential candidate shared the news on social media, writing to X, "I am proud to announce that I have asked @Tim_Walz to be my running mate." As a governor, coach, teacher, and veteran, he has served working families like his own. It is great to have him on our team."

Walz expressed his gratitude in X, writing, "It is a once in a lifetime honor to be a part of this campaign with @kamalaharris." He continued, "I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with @kamalaharris on this campaign. Harris also expressed excitement about the future of the campaign, writing, "Vice President Harris is showing me the politics that are possible. It reminds me a little of the first day of school."

But who is Tim Walz? Here's what you need to know about Kamala Harris' vice presidential candidacy.

Walz's advantage over the other vice presidential candidates probably came when he gave an interview to MSNBC. 'They're weird people over there,' he said. They want to ban books. They want to be in your [doctor's] office." [Freedom to be in your bedroom, freedom to be in your doctor's office, freedom to tell your kids what to read. That kind of thing is bizarre."

Walz is currently serving his second term as governor of Minnesota after taking office in 2018. Since becoming Minnesota's 41st governor, Walz has supported universal free school lunches, fought for reproductive freedom and voting rights, and increased paid leave for workers.

As governor, Walz proclaimed July 20, 2023 as Beyoncé Day in Minnesota. While Walz is not the first Minnesota governor to honor Beyoncé's undeniable talent, his recognition of the superstar is a welcome one.

Walz grew up in Nebraska and enlisted in the Army National Guard after high school, according to his official biography; after graduating from Chadron State College in 1989 with a degree in social science, he worked for the National Guard, serving a total of 24 years.

He also became a high school teacher in Mankato, Minnesota, where he "led the school's football team to a state championship," the New York Times reported.

Walz met his wife, fellow teacher Gwen Whipple, while working at the school and they married in 1994. Since he became governor, Gwen has served as Minnesota's First Lady. Tim is the governor, and he makes the governor's decisions," Gwen told the Star Tribune. 'We have a lot of work to do and everyone has a role and a part to play. With respect and awareness, it is my responsibility to find my way forward in this new role."

Walz also made it clear that Gwen is an important part of his life and work, and that will continue in his role as Harris' vice presidential candidate. Walz told the Star Tribune of Gwen's ability, "My wife can plan and accomplish anything."

Tim and Gwen Walz have two children, a daughter, Hope, born in January 2001, and a son, Gus, born in October 2006.

The couple welcomed their children after seven years of fertility treatment at the Rochester Mayo Clinic. Tim discussed his family's fertility journey in a March 2024 interview with the Star Tribune following the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling on embryos created through in vitro fertilization. Most importantly, he wanted to ensure that people continue to have control over their reproductive rights, from IVF to abortion.

According to the Associated Press, Walz enshrined the right to reproductive health care, including abortion, in Minnesota statutes in January 2023. Since then, he has made it clear that he wants to protect the reproductive rights of Minnesotans. I'm going to build as many protective firewalls as I can," he told the Star Tribune."