Tim Walz’s wife, Gwen, a former English teacher, has found herself stepping into the political spotlight since her husband became Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential pick. The latest spotlight moment came after JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, targeted childless women in a remark that hit a little too close to home for Gwen.
NEW VANCE AUDIO: During a Center for Christian Virtue forum in 2021, JD Vance attacked American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten for “brainwashing” children while not having children of her own:
“So many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal… pic.twitter.com/g7fXb1ReZV
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) August 27, 2024
The attack was aimed at Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, for not having children. Vance’s comment during a 2021 Christian forum, recently unearthed by Heartland Signal, a left-leaning organization, portrayed Weingarten as someone unfit to make decisions about children due to her childless status.
“Randi Weingarten, who’s the head of the most powerful teachers’ union in the country, she doesn’t have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone.”
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Gwen Walz addressed this recording while speaking at an Educators for Harris-Walz event in Manassas, Virginia. In response to Vance’s remarks, she defended herself and many others who have struggled with infertility.
“For a long time, Tim and I were teachers who struggled with infertility, and we were only able to start a family because of fertility treatment. So, this is really personal for me, and I think it is for millions of Americans,” she said. She added with a teacher’s confidence, “Mr. Vance, how about you mind your own business?”
The issue has become even more delicate for the Walz family, with Tim Walz previously misstating the kind of infertility treatment they underwent. He had initially said they used IVF (in-vitro fertilization), a more controversial treatment in pro-life circles, when they had actually used IUI (intrauterine insemination), which is considered less contentious.
In comparison, the quiet stance of JD Vance’s wife, Usha, has drawn attention. While Gwen Walz has been outspoken in defending her husband and women in similar situations, Usha Vance has remained mostly silent. The one notable exception was her defense of Vance during a Fox News interview when he made another disparaging remark about childless women, referring to them as “childish cat ladies.”
As the campaigns for 2024 progress, Gwen’s vocal presence contrasts sharply with Usha’s reticence. It raises the question of why Vance seems so fixated on attacking women who don’t have children. Gwen Walz’s proactive defense and personal connection to the issue may strike a chord with voters, particularly those who feel marginalized by Vance’s outdated views.
In the end, Gwen Walz’s defense of her husband reveals the deeply personal stakes of this election, with her willingness to push back against Vance’s remarks highlighting the cultural and societal divides at play. The contrasts between the two campaigns, including how their spouses engage with the public, make the differences in their values and approaches increasingly clear.
Featured image via screengrab.
