Governor Tim Walz, born in rural Nebraska, was elected Minnesota Governor in 2018 and is currently serving his second term, having previously served six terms in Congress. He has a strong record of supporting Israel, opposing antisemitism, and working to address the issues that Jewish voters prioritize. As governor, Walz compiled a long list of successes that include strengthened voting rights, cut taxes for the middle class, lowered the cost of insulin, expanded paid leave for MN workers, protected reproductive freedom, making Minnesota the first state to codify abortion rights since Roe v Wade was overturned, and provided universal free school meals for students. Walz served in the National Guard and taught high school, including Holocaust education, before being elected to Congress.
Supporting Israel:
- Governor Walz was and is steadfast in his support of Israel on and since October 7, just as he has been supportive of Israel throughout his political career, including 12 years in Congress. On October 7, he swiftly condemned Hamas’s attack, stating “If you did not find moral clarity on Saturday morning, and you find yourself waiting to think about what you needed to say, you need to reevaluate where you’re at.”
- He supported President Biden’s actions after October 7 and was clear in his belief that “we cannot let terrorists like Hamas win.”
- Following the October 7 terror attack, Walz ordered all flags at Minnesota state buildings be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the attack. He joined the Minnesota Jewish community at a solidarity event and in a statement emphasized that “The United States and Israel are united by a shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and regional security.”
- Walz said on June 2, 2024, “I see people debating something that I don’t feel is debatable here. The ability of Jewish people to self-determine themselves is foundational to everything […] and the failure to recognize the state of Israel’s taking away that self-determination. So it is antisemitic, that is a statement that is fact.”
- In Congress, Walz voted in favor of aid to Israel at every turn and supported efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship. Throughout his 12-year career in Congress, Walz voted in favor of Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, to expand the strategic partnership between Israel and the U.S., and to provide aid for Israel’s defense systems.
- Walz participated in a congressional delegation trip to Israel, the West Bank, Syria, and Turkey in an effort to engage with regional leaders and advance peace efforts.
- In 2010, Walz spoke of the importance of supporting Israel at an AIPAC conference, saying that “Israel is our truest and closest ally in the region, with a commitment to values of personal freedoms and liberties”
Combating Antisemitism and Hate:
- Walz has a long-standing relationship with his Jewish constituents and is committed to ensuring the safety of the Jewish and Israeli communities at home and abroad. He proclaimed Commitment to Combat Antisemitism and Hatred Day in 2019, recognizing the one year anniversary of the deadly attack at the Tree of Life synagogue.
- Walz has repeatedly condemned acts of antisemitism around the country, stating as governor that “Minnesota stands in solidarity with our Jewish friends, neighbors, and loved ones.”
- When campus protests broke out, Walz supported Jewish students: “I think when Jewish students are telling us they feel unsafe in that, we need to believe them, and I do believe them”
- Walz has been a leader in Holocaust education, dating back to his time as a social studies teacher in Mankato, MN. Walz advocated for strengthened Holocaust education programs in Minnesota schools and signed legislation mandating the teaching of the Holocaust. He stood up for Jewish communities when his 2022 Republican opponent compared public health policies to the Holocaust, calling the comparisons “hurtful and dangerous.”
Advocating for Jewish Values:
- Strengthening the Middle Class: Walz has championed programs to provide food security, expand access to health care, and support families. He implemented a universal free school lunch initiative, which provides millions of meals to students. He also expanded access to health care, including by providing relief from insulin costs and increased transparency in prescription drug costs, to earn Minnesota the ranking of the best state for health care and cut taxes for the middle class. Since taking office, Walz secured historic investments to uplift working families, including through a Child Tax Credit estimated to cut child poverty by 33% and a $1 billion housing bill.
- Reproductive Rights: Following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Walz signed a bill codifying abortion rights and took action to protect people traveling to MN to receive reproductive care from legal challenges and criminal penalties. Walz remains committed to protecting abortion rights for all Minnesotans.
- Democracy: Walz signed a Minnesota Voting Rights Act into law, ensuring that Minnesota maintains fair democratic processes and that voting rights are protected. This law combats voter suppression and expands voting access for all Minnesotans.
- Climate Change: Walz has taken historic action to combat climate change, working to ensure that 100% of Minnesota’s electricity will be carbon-free by 2040, creating a climate-friendly food system, and reducing pollution.
- Gun Control: Walz is a strong advocate for common-sense gun safety measures. He signed into law universal background checks and red flag laws to combat gun violence in Minnesota. The package also included investments in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to combat violent crime, funding to expand community-based crime prevention programs, and support the Department of Human Rights to grow its investigative capacity.
- Equity and LGBTQ+ Rights: Walz is a champion for the LGBTQ+ community. As a teacher and football coach, Walz advised his school’s first gay-straight alliance to support LGBTQ+ students. In Congress, he cosponsored the Respect for Marriage Act and advocated for the repeal of the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law. He was also key in passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and took action in 2023 to protect access to gender-affirming healthcare in Minnesota.
