MEMO: Tim Walz’s Record

August 6, 2024

TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Sara Craig, Executive Director, Republican Governors Association
DATE: August 6, 2024
RE: Tim Walz’s Record

Topline: 

Tim Walz is in lockstep with Kamala Harris’ out-of-touch and dangerous national Democrat agenda of open borders, sky-high inflation, and policies that are hurting hardworking Americans.  

Time and time again Walz has put supporting the disastrous policies of national Democrats over what’s best for families including supporting a failed economic agenda, overseeing drastic public safety failures, and advocating for dangerous, open border immigration policies. 

While Walz will try to sell himself as a relatable moderate, his record shows that he consistently backs the most liberal policies that national Democrats have to offer and will be in lockstep with the Democrat agenda that has already failed Americans.  

The Biden-Harris Agenda

  • Walz has supported the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic agenda that has led to a crippled economy and sky-high inflation. Walz backed Joe Biden when he ran for president, and has called him “an American hero.”
  • Following President Biden’s disastrous and concerning debate performance, Walz continued to be a steadfast Biden supporter despite the obvious concerns Democrats across the country expressed. He called Biden “fit for office” and pushed for a virtual roll call to make Biden the official nominee for president weeks before the Democratic National Convention.
  • Walz said he “couldn’t ask for a better pick” than Kamala Harris for vice president, endorsed her for president, and attended a canvassing kickoff to support her campaign.

Economy

  • Despite Minnesota families suffering, Walz has wholeheartedly embraced the national Democrat policies that have driven up prices including the Build Back Better agenda, the American Rescue Plan, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • Since January 2021, the average Minnesota household has spent over $30,000 more due to inflation, with the average household paying nearly $1,200 more per month to purchase the same basket of goods and services.
  • If Walz had gotten his way, Minnesotans would be paying even more at the pump than they do now. In his first budget, he proposed increasing the gas tax by 70 percent, which would have resulted in Minnesota having the fourth-highest gas tax in the country.

Immigration 

  • As a candidate for governor, Walz supported sanctuary state status for Minnesota.
  • As a congressman, Walz opposed the construction of a border wall, calling it “ridiculous.”
  • Walz signed a bill that expanded access to driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.

Public Safety

  • As cities in Minnesota burned due to riots, Walz was accused of hesitating to deploy the National Guard until it was too late despite a request from the mayor of Minneapolis.
  • Under Walz’s watch, the number of murders in Minnesota has gone up by 73 percent, the number of aggravated assaults has increased by 49 percent, and the number of motor vehicle thefts has gone up by 55 percent.
  • Walz has endorsed taking money away from law enforcement and shifting police funding to community groups.

Energy

  • Walz championed an extreme and far-reaching environmental agenda that would raise energy costs for Minnesota by billions of dollars.
  • Walz has pushed for Minnesota to copy California’s radical vehicle emissions standards that will hurt Minnesota’s auto industry and empower bureaucrats over the free market.

Education

  • Walz chose government bureaucracy over students when he opposed a statewide school choice program in Minnesota, preventing parents from choosing the best education path for their children, and preventing students from having their best opportunity to succeed.  

Social Issues

  • Walz issued an executive order and signed a bill making Minnesota a “sanctuary state” for children seeking puberty blockers and surgical gender transition procedures.
  • Walz supports allowing biological men to play in girls’ school sports in Minnesota.

Second Amendment

Voting

  • Walz opposes requiring photo identification for voting.
  • Walz signed a bill allowing convicted felons to vote before their probation or parole was completed.