IIt’s an episode in his life that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz points to as the reason he stopped drinking. In 1995, Walz was a 31-year-old high school teacher living in Nebraska when he was pulled over for speeding, failed a field sobriety test and was arrested, according to court documents posted online two years ago by Alpha News, a conservative website based in Minnesota. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Since that night, Walz has served in the Army National Guard, rising to the rank of sergeant major, won six congressional races and been elected to two terms as governor of Minnesota. And now, Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen him to be her running mate. Soon after Walz’s name appeared on Harris’ list, supporters of former President Donald Trump began sharing details of the nearly 30-year-old Walz’s DUI on social media.
In a 2018 interview with Minneapolis Star Tribune, Walz described the episode as a gut-check moment. He had gotten married the year before. That night, he was walking home after watching college football with some friends. His wife, Gwen Walz, described to the Star Tribune how she told her husband after his arrest that now that he is married, he has obligations and “can’t make stupid choices.”
The officer at the scene noticed that Walz’s silver Miata was going 96 miles per hour in an area where the speed limit was 55. When Walz saw a car quickly take off behind him, he sped up thinking someone was chasing him, Walz’s attorney explained to the court. Walz stopped when the officer turned on the patrol car’s flashing lights.
Following his arrest, Walz’s license was suspended for 90 days. He offered to resign from his teaching position at Alliance High School, but the principal talked him out of it, according to court documents. The judge in the case agreed to reduce the DUI charge to reckless driving and fine Walz $200 plus court costs.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
