Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing another accusation of misrepresenting his background after a Nebraska Chamber of Commerce letter from 2006 resurfaced amid his campaign for vice president. When Walz first ran for Congress in Minnesota, he claimed on his campaign website that he received an award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce in 1993 for his work with the business community. However, it was later revealed that he never received such an award, as confirmed in a letter from the then-president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Barry L. Kennedy.
Kennedy’s letter, dated November 1, 2006, stated, „We researched this matter and can confirm that you have not been the recipient of any award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce.“ The controversy gained traction locally in 2006, and the issue was addressed by the Minnesota newspaper, the Post Bulletin. Walz’s congressional campaign updated its website to reflect that he did not win a Nebraska Chamber of Commerce award but had won an award from the Nebraska Junior Chamber of Commerce, known as the Jaycees. The campaign manager at the time dismissed the issue as a „typographical error.“
In response to the resurfacing of this controversy, the Harris-Walz campaign stated that Governor Walz frequently speaks „openly and off the cuff.“ They defended his communication style, stating that he tells it like it is and doesn’t talk like a typical politician. The campaign contrasted Walz’s approach with that of former President Donald Trump, whom they described as a „pathological liar.“
This accusation is not the first time Walz has been accused of misrepresenting his background. Veterans have criticized him for allegedly misrepresenting his military career, particularly his rank. Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard before retiring in 2005 and launching a successful congressional campaign. Despite being promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major following a deployment to Italy in 2004, he did not complete the necessary coursework to retain that rank in retirement. Instead, he retired as a master sergeant, one pay grade below Command Sergeant Major.
The controversy surrounding Walz’s military record has been a point of contention, with some veterans expressing disappointment in his portrayal of himself as a retired Command Sergeant Major. The battalion commander of his former Minnesota Army National Guard unit issued a scathing message, stating that Walz did not earn the rank or successfully complete any assignment as an E9. The Harris campaign initially promoted the „retired Command Sergeant Major“ rank until changing Walz’s biography on their website to reflect that he „served as a command sergeant major.“
As the accusations against Governor Tim Walz continue to surface, they raise questions about his credibility and honesty, particularly in relation to his military background. The controversy surrounding his misrepresentation of awards and rank highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in political campaigns. Voters will ultimately have to decide how much weight to give to these allegations as they evaluate Walz’s candidacy for vice president.
