FILE PHOTO: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to the press after attending a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Democratic governors at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 3, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Democratic governors meet with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was recently chosen as Kamala Harris’ running mate for the upcoming election, is facing renewed scrutiny as details of his past DUI arrest have come to light. The incident occurred on September 23, 1995, when Walz, then a 31-year-old teacher in Alliance, Nebraska, was pulled over for driving his vehicle at a speed of 96 mph in a 55 mph zone.
According to court documents, a trooper detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Walz’s vehicle upon approaching his window. After failing a field sobriety test, Walz submitted to a breath test, which revealed a blood-alcohol level of 0.128%, well above the legal limit of 0.08%. Consequently, he was arrested and taken to Dawes County Jail.
In March of the following year, Walz pleaded down the charges to reckless driving, admitting that he had driven in a manner indicating indifference or disregard for the safety of others. His lawyer, Russell Harford, attempted to explain that Walz was speeding because he believed he was being pursued by someone, alleging that the trooper had not activated his lights promptly. The court transcript reveals that Walz paid a $200 fine plus court costs and offered to resign from his teaching position, although the principal convinced him otherwise.
During Walz’s successful 2006 congressional campaign in Minnesota, his campaign manager, Kerry Greeley, claimed that he was not drunk during the incident and attributed his failure to understand the officer’s commands to hearing loss resulting from his military service. However, there is no evidence in the court records or transcript to support this assertion. It is worth noting that Walz had undergone a surgical procedure called a strapedectomy to repair his hearing, which had been damaged during his 21 years of service in the Army National Guard.
The judge presiding over the case expressed concern about a teacher being involved in such an offense, emphasizing the importance of being a role model. However, there is no mention of the judge throwing out the DUI charges or chastising the officer for not recognizing Walz’s hearing impairment, as claimed by Greeley.
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Are you kidding me? This is absolutely disgusting! How can someone with a DUI arrest be chosen as a running mate for a vice presidential candidate? It's a complete slap in the face to the American people. We deserve leaders who uphold the law, not those who break it. This just shows a complete lack of judgment and integrity on the part of Governor Tim Walz. It's truly disappointing and makes me question the decision-making abilities of those who chose him. This is not the kind of leadership
As a blog commenter, I would like to recommend a reliable and efficient ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. These services provide a safe and convenient alternative to driving under the influence. By using these platforms, individuals can easily request a ride and ensure they get home safely without putting themselves or others at risk. It's always important to prioritize safety and make responsible choices, especially when it comes to drinking and driving.