Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called Republicans’ agenda bizarre and said he is “ready to move on” by accepting the Democratic nomination for vice president of the United States.
Kamala Harris’ running mate won the state on the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, as his wife Gwen and children Hope and Gus looked on visibly emotional.
The crowd held red, white and blue signs reading “Coach Walz” as the 60-year-old governor delivered a pep talk that focused on what it means to be a good neighbor and invoked a series of references to coaches before also taking on his political opponents.
“It is the honor of my lifetime to accept your nomination as Vice President of the United States,” Walz said to thunderous applause shortly after taking the stage.
“We love this country, so thank you to all of you here in Chicago and to all of you watching at home tonight,” Walz said. “Thank you for your passion, thank you for your determination and most of all thank you for bringing joy to this fight.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention to accept the vice presidential nomination.
For millions of Americans, Walz’s acceptance at the United Center was their first introduction to the former social studies teacher, football coach and congressman who served in the National Guard for 24 years.
Walz talked about growing up in a small town in Nebraska and joked that none of the 24 members of his class went to Yale, a clear dig at his opponent, Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance.
“I’ll tell you what: When you grow up in a small town like that, you learn to care for others. That family down the street may not think like you, pray like you, love like you, but they’re neighbors.”
During his speech, Walz attacked Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, calling the Republican Party’s agenda bizarre and dangerous.
Walz was joined by his family onstage at the United Center after his speech, including his wife Gwen and children Hope and Gus.
Walz hugs his wife Gwen on stage after accepting the vice presidential nomination. She spoke in a video introducing her husband earlier in the evening
The vice presidential candidate spoke of his first run for Congress in a Republican district in 2006.
“Never underestimate a public school teacher,” Walz said as the crowd applauded.
For Walz, it’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks since he was plucked from relative obscurity outside the political world and Minnesota and thrust into the global spotlight.
But Walz quickly assumed the role of formidable attack dog on the campaign trail.
Walz said that “some people just don’t understand what it takes to be a good neighbor.” He added that as a professor, his students elected student body president could teach Donald Trump “a lot.”
Walz hugged by his son Gus after giving his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention
Walz’s speech was filled with football metaphors and references to his time as a public school teacher. As he spoke, supporters in the crowd held signs that read “Coach Walz.”
“Leaders don’t spend their days calling people names and blaming others. Leaders do the work,” he said. “So I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to move on with these guys, so go ahead and say it with me, we’re not going back.”
He called his agenda “absolutely bizarre” but also warned that “it is dangerous.”
Harris’s campaign launched him and Harris on a tour of swing states in the United States to introduce him to the country.
But his public appearance has not been without controversy. Republicans have accused him of inflating his military record and attacked his progressive management as governor.
Wednesday night’s convention lineup featured a star-studded event combined with a series of speeches in support of the nomination and to further introduce Walz to the American people and pay tribute to his home state of Minnesota.
Oprah Winfrey appeared to endorse the vice president while Mindy Kaley hosted the primetime event.
The heavy Minnesota night also included a tribute to Prince from John Legend and Sheila E. in honor of his home state.
Oprah Winfrey takes the stage to endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz with a speech on the third night of the Democratic National Convention
John Legend performing a tribute to Prince at the Democratic National Convention in a nod to Tim Walz’s home state of Minnesota
Walz was nominated by fellow Minnesotan Sen. Amy Klobuchar and one of his former students and neighbors, Ben Ingman.
“A former coach knows how to level the playing field, and a former public school teacher knows how to lecture people like J.D. Vance,” the senator said. She called Walz the “father of cadres.”
Ingman described Walz as the type of person you can trust to help you out of a snowbank because he helped you out of a snowbank.
During the nomination, Ingman was joined on stage by former Mankato West football players dressed in red jerseys and former head coach Rick Sutton.
Former Mankato West High School football players take the stage at the Democratic National Convention as their former coach Tim Walz is nominated for vice president of the United States.
Earlier in the evening, a nearly four-minute video narrated by Walz’s wife, Gwen, was played about the governor, including a brief biography as well as clips of him with his children and others.
In the book, Walz talks about how they met as teachers who shared a classroom. She also recounts how her husband’s students inspired him to run for Congress and touts his work on issues related to agriculture and veterans.
There were also videos featuring some of his former students and those who served with him in the National Guard.
Walz celebrates his nomination for vice president of the United States with his daughter Hope
Members of the Walz family joined the governor on stage at the end of the evening.
Walz concluded his speech with a football metaphor.
“Let me finish with this team. It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down by a field goal, but we’re on offense and we have the ball,” Walz said. “And boy, do we have the right team.”
