There was a flood in St. Paul, and he was off to lead the response to that.
The students fears proved well-founded.
He remembers: They asked for our IDs, so I pulled out my wallet.
Tim Walz greets former student Matt Klaber at this year’s Democratic National ConventionPatrick Tanis
Mr Walz was asking, Whats going on?
Theyre with me, theyll behave.
So they turn on him, saying, Who are you?
Why are you with them?
Who do you support?
The whole episode galvanised him, Klaber reflects.
He wasnt political at that point, but this experience changed that.
He was activated just like that day in the library.
We were denied entry…
It was at this moment that I decided to run for office.
Within two years, Walz had made his own debut run, and won election, as a Congressman.
Klaber moved to London in 2018, the same year Walz became Governor of Minnesota.
Not to disparage the other candidates, but I knew that was him to a tee.
He laughs:
Weve always stayed in touch, but that was the weirdest high school reunion ever.
The next day they had friends and family to the hotel to chat.
Three months ago, this was Trumps to lose.
The fact that it is a tied race is a ton of credit to them.
Whatever the outcome ends up being, the fact that it is so close is impressive.
One of his side roles at high school was assistant football coach.
It made sense, because its who he is.
Hes not there to win the game, hes there to help the team win the game.
