VOTEVETS ENDORSES TIM WALZ FOR GOVERNOR
Minneapolis, MN – The largest progressive veterans group in America, VoteVets PAC, today is endorsing Rep. Tim Walz to be the next governor of Minnesota.
“When you ask around the Hill for names of elected officials who put their nose to the grindstone, and work hard to deliver for the people they represent, Tim Walz’s name is always one you hear talked about,” said Rick Hegdahl, Veterans Outreach Coordinator for VoteVets. “Tim has certainly been there for his fellow veterans, and never forgotten where he came from. That’s a rare thing in politics. Washington has a way of changing people, but Tim is the same dedicated servant for the people for Minnesota that he’s always been. That’s why we’re proud to endorse him, and why we know he’s going to make an excellent governor.”
According to his bio, Tim Walz’s dedication to public service began when, at the age of 17, Tim enlisted in the Army National Guard. In 1989, he was named Nebraska Citizen-Soldier of the Year. Upon his 1990 return from teaching in China, Tim served full time in the Army National Guard. He joined his battalion overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). After 24 years in the Army National Guard, Command Sergeant Major Walz retired from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion in 2005. When he retired, Tim was the highest-ranking enlisted National Guard soldier in southern Minnesota.
In Congress, Walz has been a champion for veterans, and an indispensable advocate. In particular, Walz’s historic measure to prevent veterans suicide will save countless American veterans’ lives. The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act helps bolster VA suicide prevention efforts by incentivizing more psychiatrists to join the VA, better connect veterans with mental health services, and improve connection and coordination between those non-profit mental health organizations providing services, and the VA. Tim is a ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Tim serves as co-chair of the National Guard & Reserve Components Caucus, as well.
Founded in 2006, the mission of VoteVets.org Political Action Committee is to elect Veterans to public office, with a focus on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and hold public officials accountable for their words and actions that impact America’s 21st century troops and veterans. Though VoteVets.org PAC is non-partisan, candidates it backs must support VoteVets.org’s core mission and beliefs.