Democrats have been obsessing over Tim Walz since presidential nominee Kamala Harris named him as her vice presidential pick earlier this month. Over the last few weeks, the Minnesota governor has made headlines for his neutral-turned-progressive views on issues that matter (and which will be crucial issues come Election Day in November)—but he has also gone viral for his relatable, liberal Midwestern dad swag. He’s shown that rizz not only via his passionate support of Harris and his undeniable resemblance to beloved actor Steve Martin, but also through his adorable, candid videos with his daughter, Hope.
On his Instagram, Walz regularly posts snapshots of his family life, including fun outings with his 23-year-old daughter. In one of them, the two are seen attending the Minnesota State Fair and choosing which rides to go on, with Walz saying he always gets to choose an “old” or “classic” ride, while Hope picks a newer one. The video later shows the father-daughter duo laughing and screaming while up on the ride Hope chose. “My daughter, Hope, tricked me into doing the most extreme ride,” Walz later wrote in his post caption.
In another video shared on Instagram—a PSA announcing Minnesota’s ban on using devices while driving—the Dem politician is seen sitting in his car with Hope. “We’re making sure we remind all of you hands-free driving starts on the first of August. We want to make sure our teen drivers are not texting, and—” he says, before Hope interjects. “No, no, no—I think it’s actually mostly bald men,” she says, poking fun at her “old guy” dad throughout the clip.
Walz has also struck a chord with voters by sharing the story of his and wife Gwen’s seven-year struggle to conceive Hope through fertility treatments—an issue that is top of mind this election year, especially because since overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, Republicans have threatened to make in vitro fertilization illegal. Walz and Gwen have a younger son, Gus, as well.
“It took Gwen and I years” to conceive, Walz said at the Democratic National Convention this week. “But we had access to fertility treatments, and when our daughter was born, we named her Hope.” He held back tears as his spoke, while his wife, son, and daughter became equally emotional watching him. “Hope, Gus, and Gwen, you are my entire world and I love you.”
Unsurprisingly, the social media clips featuring Hope have resurfaced in the wake of Harris’s selection of Walz, and have earned the former teacher plenty of fans among Dems—particularly the younger voters he and Harris will need if they hope to win the election against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
For days, people on Instagram, TikTok, and X have been gushing about the governor’s happy dad vibes, small-town charm, and “pro-joy” energy. Only time will tell if this will be enough to incite his young fans to vote come the presidential elections.
