CHICAGO — Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz will be nominated for the role by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and a former student Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention, according to a Harris-Walz campaign official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal plans.
In his keynote speech, Walz plans to highlight his experience growing up in a small town, serving in the National Guard and working as a teacher and football coach before being elected to Congress and as governor, the official said.
Klobuchar is a close ally of the Minnesota governor and has called him a good friend in recent interviews. She said that her mother-in-law delivered dinner to the Walz family when their son was born and that her husband is from the town where Walz coached football.
Walz will also be nominated by Ben Ingman, a former student and next door neighbor of the Walz family. Walz coached Ingman’s seventh grade basketball and track teams, and he will be joined onstage by former football players at Mankato West High School who were coached by Walz, as well as former head coach Rick Sutton.
The campaign has highlighted Walz’s former coaching experience since he was named to the ticket, referring to him by the title. Supporters have waved signs at campaign events reading “coach.”
During the convention, a biographical video will feature some of Walz’s former students from Mankato West High School: Nate Hood from the graduating class of 2002, Sarah Manes from the class of 1999, Josh Jagdfeld from the class of 2001, Jacob Reitan from the class of 2000, Kent Wawrzynaik from the class of 1998 and Blake Frink from the class of 2001. The former students will share in a video how Walz impacted their lives — as a former football coach, basketball coach, social studies teacher, set builder for the student play and faculty adviser for the Gay Straight Alliance, according to the official.
Another video will focus on Walz’s military service, and will feature Iraq War veteran Mike McLaughlin and Al Bonnifield, who served with Walz in the National Guard for nine years. Walz and McLaughlin met when McLaughlin was leaving the Marine Corps and using the GI Bill to go back to school, and worked together to pass the “Forever GI” bill — legislation to expand veterans’ education benefits.