Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, recently chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate for the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket, is facing increased scrutiny of his background and political record.
According to Twin Cities Pioneer Press, many of the criticisms are familiar to Minnesotans, including his handling of the 2020 riots following George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis.
While some attacks on Walz's record have resurfaced, including a 1995 drunken driving arrest and questions about his military service, the governor has largely managed to deflect these criticisms. Recent polling data suggests that Walz continues to enjoy a relatively positive public perception compared to his Republican counterpart, Ohio Senator JD Vance.
One recent issue that required clarification from Walz was his stance on in vitro fertilization (IVF). The governor had previously used his family's struggles with infertility in campaign messaging, particularly after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling restricting IVF earlier this year.
Walz had strongly criticized the Alabama decision, stating in his March State of the State address, "What those judges did was a direct attack on my family. Gwen and I will not forget it. We will not forgive it. And neither will thousands of other moms and dads across this state." However, it was later revealed that Walz and his wife Gwen did not actually use IVF to conceive their children. Gwen Walz clarified that they had used intrauterine insemination, a less invasive procedure than IVF.
A 1995 incident in which Walz was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Nebraska has once again come to light. At the time, Walz was pulled over for driving 96 mph in a 55 mph zone.
During his 2006 congressional campaign, Walz faced criticism for this incident, and his staff was accused of spreading misleading information about the circumstances. Initially, his campaign claimed Walz was not drunk and had balance issues related to hearing loss from his National Guard service. These claims were later proven false, and Walz ultimately pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving. He has stated that he has not consumed alcohol since the incident.
Walz's handling of the 2020 riots in the Twin Cities following George Floyd's death has been a point of contention. Critics, including former President Donald Trump, have accused Walz of being too slow to stop the unrest.
Walz activated the National Guard on May 28, a day after the unrest began. However, there were reports of unclear directions from civilian authorities, leading to delays in troop deployment. An independent review commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety found that there was a lack of clear leadership and communication between various government agencies during the initial response to the riots.
Republicans have raised concerns about Walz's ties to China, focusing on his numerous visits to the country. These include a yearlong teaching stint in 1989-1990, a honeymoon trip in 1994, and student trips he organized in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
House Republicans recently announced an investigation into what they call Walz's "longstanding connections to Chinese Communist Party." However, it's worth noting that during his time in Congress, Walz served on a committee tracking human rights issues in China and has met with the Dalai Lama.
A significant issue that has received less attention on the national stage is the Feeding Our Future fraud case, which occurred under Walz's administration. The scheme involved the theft of millions in pandemic relief funds, with 70 people indicted so far. A legislative audit in June found "inadequate oversight" by the Minnesota Department of Education, creating opportunities for over $250 million in fraud. No state employees have been disciplined for their actions or failure to act in the fraud case.
In conclusion, Tim Walz's selection as Kamala Harris' running mate has brought renewed scrutiny to his background and record. From questions about his military service and past DUI incidents to criticisms of his handling of the 2020 riots and connections to China, Walz faces several challenges on the national stage. The Feeding Our Future fraud case also raises questions about oversight during his governorship. Despite these issues, polling suggests Walz maintains a relatively positive public perception as he steps onto the national political stage.
