Teacher challenges Gutknecht in 1st District

10/23/2005

by Darrell Ehrlick | Winona Daily News

Recently, congressional candidate Tim Walz was asked a question about his stance on China.

The person asking the question thought that Walz, a Democrat and teacher at Mankato West High School, might know a lot about the military or education, but not China.

Walz, who taught in China from 1989-90, answered in Chinese.

Walz surprised the man with his answer, and says he’s even a bit surprised himself to be running against six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District.

Walz says the race between them boils down to transparency in leadership with answers instead of politics.

The 41-year-old geography teacher and coach retired in May as command sergeant major in the Army National Guard, a requirement of his decision to run for Congress. Walz’ 24-year military career included an overseas assignment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Walz’s fledgling campaign is focusing on four areas - health care, energy, the war in Iraq and farming.

He criticized Gutknecht’s voting record, saying it was lockstep with the GOP and hasn’t served the 1st District well.

“For me to sit and watch is unconscionable,” Walz said. “The partisan bickering is driving people insane.”

After traveling around the district, Walz said energy is at the forefront of voters’ minds. He’s met hundreds who are concerned about rising gas prices and winter heating bills.

“If you want to solve the problems, then invest in the engineers who will solve the problem instead of going and getting more oil in fragile ecosystems,” Walz said. “Invest in the classroom and in their education.”

Walz criticized Gutknecht’s support of the recently passed energy bill, saying it did too little to encourage alternative fuels.

And Walz wants to know about the president’s plans for the war in Iraq. “What are the measurable goals? What are the milestones of success?” Walz asked.

Those milestones are important for Iraq stability and independence, he said, citing the U.S.-assisted rebuilding efforts in the Balkans as an example of successful war efforts.

“I’m a realist. War is the very last tool that you use,” Walz said. “But saying, `freedom isn’t free’ isn’t a plan - it’s an ideal. I’m not anti-war, I’m anti-failure.”

Walz also sees failure in the health-care system. He admits that Gutknecht has made positive steps with re-importation of prescription drugs, but the Democratic challenger criticizes the Rochester Republican for not doing enough.

“Why aren’t we asking for universal health care?” Walz said.