Gov. Tim Walz is ‘incredibly authentic,’ says his CIO

After six years of working for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the state’s chief information officer says he’s had the opportunity to learn more about the vice presidential nominee. State CIO Tarek Tomes said Walz’s character is reflected in his key initiative: striving to make Minnesota the best state in the country in which to raise a child. Tomes pointed to the state’s program providing breakfast and lunch to every child, which he said was designed to eliminate the stigma of such programs. He also pointed to the state’s paid family medical leave program. “He’s just a very authentic individual that has lived the same life,” Tomes said. “He walks his dog in the morning, spends a considerable amount of time with his daughter and his son. What people see is really authentically the governor.”

This video was recorded on Oct. 1, 2024, at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers annual conference in New Orleans.