Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made a visit to a crosstown rivalry football game between Mankato East High School and Mankato West High School, where he once taught and coached. Walz, accompanied by the latter team’s captains, received an introduction that resembled one at a campaign rally. After participating in the coin toss, he took selfies and signed autographs with supporters. He cheered for Mankato West as they took an early lead and eventually won the game 28-7. This visit marked his first return to the town since joining the Democratic presidential ticket in August. Walz and his wife, Gwen, taught and coached at Mankato West before he left teaching in 2006 to pursue a career in politics.
Recently, the Harris campaign has been highlighting Walz’s tenure at Mankato West as a defining aspect of his background. Vice President Kamala Harris often refers to him as “Coach Walz,” a title seen on campaign signs at rallies. To engage male voters in Midwestern battleground states, Walz has been participating in interviews with local outlets and former NFL star Michael Strahan. A Pew Research Center survey found that 51% of registered male voters support former President Donald Trump, while 43% support Harris. Walz stated that the campaign is tailoring its messaging on economic and social issues to appeal to male voters and close the support gap.
During his visit, Walz also participated in marking the opening of pheasant hunting season in Minnesota. He joined a hunting party and trekked through grasslands with reporters following from a distance. Although he did not have the opportunity to fire his shotgun, Walz explained the features of the Beretta A400 he had purchased. The return to Minnesota was a chance for Walz to engage with voters and experience a brief respite from the challenges of the campaign. Despite facing increased scrutiny for false statements made before and after joining the Harris campaign, Walz remains focused on engaging voters and addressing key economic and social issues.
Walz’s return to Mankato was well-received by locals, with former students and players reminiscing about his time as a teacher and coach. Students described Walz as a high-energy teacher who sought to form meaningful connections with them. Gwen Walz, his wife and also a teacher, was remembered as a stricter instructor. Before the football game, Walz stopped by Mankato West to greet players and speak with old colleagues. The school’s principal, Sherri Blasing, warmly welcomed him back, emphasizing his role as a coach in the community. Walz’s visit to Mankato served as a reminder of his roots and connections in the town where he taught and coached before entering the world of politics.
