Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called Republicans’ agenda weird and said he’s ‘ready to turn the page’ as he accepted the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States.
Kamala Harris’ running mate took the state on Night three of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Wednesday as his wife Gwen and children Hope and Gus looked on, visibly emotional.
The crowd held red, white and blue signs that read ‘Coach Walz’ as the 60-year-old governor delivered a folksy speech where he focused on what it means to be a good neighbor and invoked a series of coaching references before also taking on his political opponents.
‘It’s the honor of my life to accept your nomination as the Vice President of the United States,’ Walz said to thunderous applause soon after taking the stage.
‘We love this country, so thank you to all of you here in Chicago and 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 the joy to this fight.’
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took the stage Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention to accept the nomination for vice president
For millions of Americans, Walz’s acceptance at the United Center was their first introduction to 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 about none of the 24 members of his class going to Yale, a clear dig at his opponent, Donald Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance.
‘I’ll tell you one thing, growing up in a small town like that, you learn how to take care of each other. That family down the road, they may not think like you do, they may not pray like you do, they may not love like you do but they’re neighbors.’
During his speech, Walz attacked Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance, called the GOP agenda weird and dangerous
Walz joined by his family on stage at the United Center after his speech including wife Gwen and kids Hope and Gus
Walz embracing his wife Gwen on stage after accepting the VP nomination. She spoke in a video introducing her husband earlier in the evening
The vice presidential nominee spoke of his first run for Congress in a red district in 2006.
‘Never underestimate a public school teacher,’ Walz said as the crowd cheered.
For Walz, it has been a whirlwind couple of weeks since he was plucked out of relative obscurity outside the political world and Minnesota and thrust into the global spotlight.
But Walz has quickly embraced the role of formidable attack dog in the campaign trail.
Walz said ‘some folks just don’t understand what it takes to be a good neighbor.’ He said as a teacher his students elected student body president could teach Donald Trump ‘a hell of a lot.’
Walz embraced by his son Gus after giving his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention
Walz’s speech was heavy on football metaphors and references to his time as a public school teacher. As he spoke, supporters in the crowd held signs that said ‘Coach Walz’
‘Leaders don’t stand all day insulting people and blaming others. Leaders do the work,’ he said. ‘So I don’t know about you, I’m ready to turn the page on these guys, so go ahead, say it with me, we’re not going back.’
He called their agenda ‘weird, absolutely,’ but also warned ‘it’s dangerous.’
The Harris campaign launched him and Harris on a battleground state tour across the United States to introduce him to the country.
But his introduction to the public has not been without controversy. Republicans have accused him of inflating his military record and attacked his progressive tenure as governor.
Programming at the convention Wednesday evening was a star-studded event mixed with a series speeches in support of the ticket and continuing to introduce Walz to the American people and pay tribute to his home state Minnesota.
Oprah Winfrey showed up to endorse the vice president as Mindy Kaley hosted the primetime event.
The Minnesota heavy night also included a Prince tribute from John Legend and Sheila E. honoring his home state.
Oprah Winfrey taking the stage to endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz with a speech on Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention
John Legend performing a Prince tribute at the Democratic National Convention in a nod to Tim Walz’ home state of Minnesota
Walz was nominated by fellow Minnesotan, Senator 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 school the likes of J.D. Vance,’ the senator said. She called Walz the ‘dad in plaid.’
Ingman described Walz as the kind of person one can count on to help get them out of a snowbank because he helped push him out of a snowbank.
During the nomination, Ingman was joined on stage by former Mankato West football players decked out in red jerseys and the 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 played narrated by Walz’s wife Gwen about the governor which included a brief biography as well as clips of him with his children and others.
In it, Walz spoke of how they met, both as teachers sharing a classroom. She also recounted how her husband’s students inspired him to run for Congress and touted his work on agriculture and veterans’ issues.
There were also videos featuring some of his former students and those who served with him in the National Guard.
Walz celebrates being nominated Vice President of the United States with his daughter Hope
Members of the Walz family joining the governor on stage at the end of the night
Walz wrapped up his speech with a football metaphor.
‘Let me finish with this team. It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball,’ Walz said. ‘And boy do we have the right team.’
