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Governor Tim Walz made his first appearance at the Minnesota State Fair on Sunday since being named the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee. Unlike his usual experience at the “Great Minnesota Get Together,” where he could freely move around and make several visits throughout the 12-day event, this visit was brief and tightly controlled due to his new role on the national stage.
“My usual 12 days at the fair are down to just one, and it’s a bit more disruptive—not just for me, but for others too. Still, it’s exciting to share Minnesota with the rest of the country,” Walz remarked. His visit lasted just over 30 minutes and was conducted under heavy security, including the presence of the U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement. Attendees were required to pass through metal detectors before entering the Dairy Building, where Walz spent most of his time.
During his visit, Governor Tim Walz bypassed the general admission gates and headed straight for a pork chop on a stick before serving ice cream and milkshakes with his wife, Gwen, and daughter, Hope. The teenagers working the dairy stand were surprised to see the governor, only realizing he was coming when the Secret Service arrived. Walz also took a moment to chat with this year’s Princess Kay of the Milky Way winner as they admired the butter sculptures.
A Brief but Eventful Stop
As Walz as a Vice Presidential Nominee greeted fairgoers, many chanted his name and posed for photos. Some wore “Harris-Walz” merchandise, while a few held signs reading “Never Walz” outside. Kristen Lease from Eden Prairie was thrilled to encounter Walz at the fair, saying, “We were elated when we found out he might be here. Ever since he was announced as the VP nominee, we’ve been extremely happy.”
Walz was selected by Vice President Kamala Harris to be her running mate last month after President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race. Lease mentioned a renewed sense of hope among Democrats since the announcement, stating, “When Harris was named, we felt hope. When Walz was added to the ticket, we felt joy. I’ve been doing hope scrolling instead of doom scrolling online ever since.”
In the weeks following his nomination, Walz has been traveling across the country, making the case for why he and Harris should be elected to the White House. He plans to visit Wisconsin on Monday and campaign in Pennsylvania later in the week.
Governor Tim Walz Navigates the Fair Under Tight Security From Local Governor to National Stage
When asked about balancing his gubernatorial duties with the campaign, Walz credited his team for helping manage his schedule. “We appointed three great judges last week in Ramsey County, and I stay updated throughout the day. I’m in and out,” he said.
He briefly spoke with reporters but declined to comment on the recent news of six hostages found dead in Gaza.
Gary Baron of Minnetonka expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of Walz becoming Vice Presidential Nominee, noting that if Walz were to ascend to the vice presidency, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan would become governor. “I think Harris made the right choice with Walz. He’ll do a wonderful job, and Flanagan will make a great governor. It’s a win-win for both the country and Minnesota,” Baron said.
Walz Reflects on His New Role and Responsibilities
On Monday, Governor Tim Walz’ as vice presidential nominee is expected to meet with Minnesota labor leaders before heading to Milwaukee for another campaign event. The governor is no stranger to the state fair, often using it as a campaign backdrop. Last year, he took a slingshot ride with his daughter Hope and reiterated his support for abortion rights during an interview with WCCO.
Recently, in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Walz was questioned about his military service record after a 2018 video surfaced in which he mentioned carrying “weapons of war” during his time in the National Guard, despite not having seen combat. Walz explained that he had misspoken and emphasized his respect for all military service members.
Bash also brought up a viral moment from the Democratic National Convention, where Walz’s son, Gus, proudly cheered for his father during his vice-presidential nomination speech. “As a father, I never imagined such a moment. It was deeply emotional and made me proud of my son,” Walz shared.
The governor and his wife recently revealed in an interview with People that their son, Gus, is a “brilliant” teenager with ADHD, an anxiety disorder, and a non-verbal learning disorder, adding that his neurodivergence is his “secret power.”
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