Full Biography

U.S. Congressman Tim Walz is currently serving his fifth term representing Minnesota’s First Congressional District. The First Congressional District spans the southern part of Minnesota – from the South Dakota border in the west to the Wisconsin border in the east.

Walz proudly serves the people of southern Minnesota on three committees in the United States House of Representatives: Agriculture, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs. He is the ranking member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. He also is one of nine House Members to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Walz serves as co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, and has leadership posts with the National Guard and Reserve Caucus and the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus.

Tim Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska and is the son of a public school administrator and community activist. As a child, Tim’s parents instilled in him the values of hard work and community service.

Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard at the young age of 17, and retired 24 years later as Command Sergeant Major. Before retiring, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Walz is the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress.

In 1989, Walz earned a B.S. in social science education from Chadron State College in Nebraska. Walz spent 1989-1990 teaching high school in China as a part of the first government sanctioned groups of American educators to teach in China through a program at Harvard University.

When he returned from China, Walz began teaching high school in Nebraska. While in Nebraska, Walz met his wife Gwen Whipple. Married in 1994, Tim and Gwen Walz moved back to Gwen’s native southern Minnesota where both began teaching and coaching at Mankato West High School.

Since coming to Congress, Walz has made improving the care of our nation’s veterans a top priority. The Rochester Post Bulletin has described him as having "relentless energy" and touted his strong work ethic, stating that "he brings a soldier's work ethic to the House."

Rep. Walz has been recognized for his work in Congress with awards from AMVETS, the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Farmers Union and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Tim and Gwen live in Mankato with their two young children, Hope and Gus.