Gwen Walz Speaks With Local DFL Supporters

At a DFL rally in Apple Valley last week, several women legislators spoke prior to Gwen Walz, wife of Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, who in part said:

 

My mom would always say, ‘Gwen, you need to do the work that’s in front of you.’ And growing up, I thought that meant the dishes — and I think she did mean that, but she also meant something broader. She was asking me to see with my own eyes what the work was in my family, in my school, in my neighborhood, in my community, and to think through how I could bring my own time and skills and talents and experiences to help make that change.

It’s an empowering message. It’s both thoughtful and it’s actionable, and with [a few weeks before the election] remaining, we have a lot of work in front of us.

I wonder if you might come back this weekend [for door-knocking] and bring some friends with you. Register your family members to vote. I’m asking you to have hard conversations with that neighbor who has a sign in the yard that you might not love, because we aren’t giving up on them. They are part of our country, too. And what about someone who’s undecided — if you can imagine. We have to find our own way to make a difference.

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I met a group of women in Las Vegas when I was there at an event, and they were dressed like they were going to a really nice lunch. They were getting ready to knock on doors. I asked, ‘What’s your story?’ And they said, ‘We had never canvassed before. We just felt like we had to do something. And so we decided maybe we couldn’t do that alone, but six of us could do this together. We have been door knocking every day for 13 days.’

We are turning the page. I want you to do that with me. Practice turning the page on Donald Trump, turning toward freedom and dignity and opportunity for everyone. We are turning and choosing a new way forward for you and our children and our country and our world. Right now in our state, we are leading with our values. Kamala and Tim have a vision for the future where everyone is included, and everyone can get ahead, and everyone can chase their dreams.

I was an English teacher — once an English teacher, always an English teacher — and we know that words matter. So, when we say everyone, we don’t mean just some of us, right? We don’t mean only those who vote for us. We mean all of us, and that is something that differentiates us. We actually believe in democracy, right? That’s ultimately what this election is about. When you’re out there talking to voters, I want you to ask them just this simple question, ‘Who is fighting for you?’

Kamala and Tim really have spent their entire careers fighting for middle class families.

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Find a watch party for this evening’s Vice Presidential debate

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