MANKATO, Minn. — Hundreds of people attended a watch party at Mankato West High School to see Governor Tim Walz speak at the Democratic National Convention.
To Mankato, he’s coach, a man they hope will soon lead the entire country.
“This man exudes joy, energy, passion, and purpose. I’m very similar in that way. I want people to feel good, and be positive and thinking forward, and I think he does that so well each and every day in all of little actions and interactions,” said Ann Vote.
Vote helped organize the watch party for her former teacher and advisor.
“Even before he was in Congress, and was governor, we were inspired by the man every day,” she said.
Jerry Schmidt said both of his children were taught by Walz. He said they raved about him when they were in high school, and they still talk about him even as adults.
“He’s very genuine, very real, very inspirational,” Schmidt said.
Becki True graduated from Mankato West in 1980. She left before Walz started teaching at her alma mater but thinks it’s great that Mankato could have a connection to the White House.
“Just a regular guy, with a regular background. We need more people like that in politics,” she said.
Rising senior at Mankato West Molly Smith agrees.
“I feel like he’s more relatable as a guy in politics who is in that position versus some of the guys we’ve seen in the past where it’s almost like they seem disconnected from the everyday people,” she said.
Her mother, Molly, said Walz used to be their neighbor. She said Walz would always wave to her when he was out on a run and said he was a genuine guy.
Genuine, was a word many people in attendance at the watch party used to describe Walz.
“Just a warm-hearted good guy,” said Vicki Lauruhan, who graduated from Mankato West in 1968.
Nate Clark met Walz several years ago and remembers the warmth he felt when he met him.
“I’m really excited for Tim Walz to be our Vice President,” he said.
One of the youngest people in attendance was 10-year-old Anita Smith. She got interested in this election after watching and seeing Walz on the news.
“I support Governor Walz, and I think he’ll be a great Vice President,” she said.