Interview of Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Tim Walz

With Radio Bilingüe’s Samuel Orozco

Interview conducted by phone during Walz’s stop in Savannah, Georgia, where he held a campaign rally to energize the vote just days before the close of early voting, which has already broken historic records in this southern state.

Orozco: Governor Tim Walz, buen dia bienvenido, a Radio Bilingue. Governor Walz, welcome.

Walz: Well, thank you for having me, and thanks to your audience for giving us an opportunity to try and earn their support here over the next week.

Orozco: By the way, about speaking Spanish, did you ever have a chance to communicate with Spanish-speaking families when you were governor, Mr. Walz?

Walz: Oh, absolutely. In southern Minnesota as a member of Congress, a vibrant part of our community. Many of our rural communities have been reinvigorated by our immigration and many by, you know, multigenerational Latino families that have lived in Minnesota. So very proud of that community in Minnesota.

Orozco: Well, some of those families and millions in the country are living in the shadows. Governor Walz, without documents, without protections. They are hardworking immigrants. How familiar are you with those families? Have you ever met them where they live?

Walz: Very much so. And they’re our neighbors. In fact, when I ran for Congress in 2006, there was a raid on a meat packing facility, and I remember being in the basement of the Catholic Church in Worthington, Minnesota with children who were scared and didn’t know where their families were, where their parents were. It was, you know, early in my first run for Congress, but very clearly, these are members of our community, and it’s why we need to pass immigration laws that also give clear pathways to citizenship. We can strengthen the border, we can put the agents that we need. We can make sure that we’re doing all of those things. But as the Vice President and I have talked about, the pathway to citizenship is absolutely critical.

Orozco: How can they know you will be a champion for them? Governor Walz,

Walz: Well, I have a record in Minnesota of doing that. I think the community would speak to that, of making sure that we understand how important they were. We listen, we appointed people who are at the table when we’re making decisions. And we’re seeing a vibrant community in Minnesota, one where these folks are seen, heard, valued, and are part of the decisions that we’re making.

Orozco: Last time Democrats had a chance to pass immigration reform, they couldn’t, and they couldn’t because of the filibuster, the tactic used by a few to block legislation in the Senate. Would you advocate to get rid of the filibuster practice if, if needed?

Walz: Look what I would say on this Samuel is, is this issue is, is not as divisive as the politicians want to make it. We can build a coalition that understands. It was Republican senators that helped pass this last piece of legislation, and they understand how important this community is, whether they’re living in Oklahoma, or they’re living in Idaho. We should be able to build the coalition. We will make that coalition possible, and we will sign legislation. As I said, that both does what needs to be done at the border, but it’s also fair to the community. I can tell you that I can answer very simply the question that Senator Vance would not answer: “Would you separate families?” The answer is, No. Certainly not that, and we can pass legislation that adheres to that because the vast majority of the American people want us to do something about immigration, but they also understand the humanity that we’re dealing with.

Orozco: On another matter, Governor Walz, surveys say Latino voters may agree Democrats understand their problems, that they have good intentions or plans to solve those big problems, but they feel Democrats may not be able to keep their promises. What’s your response? What will you do to keep the promise for Latinos on issues such as cost of living, jobs, immigration reform?

Walz: Well, we’ve done it, and they’ve seen it, and we’ll be able to be there. I think what’s very clear, especially after this last weekend, what Donald Trump thinks about Latino voters, the absolutely unacceptable language that was used by him and the people around him, and their inability.  I think both vice president Harris myself have a track record, you can look at we’ve actually followed through on these proposals. We’ve made a difference. She is committed to the agenda she rolled out the other day, making sure that whether it’s small business ownership or access to health care that we’re focusing on those. It’s very clear that Donald Trump has no intention of doing this. He is going to separate families and cause chaos. He’s done it before because he likes to use this issue to divide this country. Vice President Harris has made it clear she wants to be president for all Americans, and that includes our Latino Americans, just as much as it does anyone else.

Orozco: Now we, in our radio network, reach all of the major agricultural areas of the country. Those are communities hit by a crisis of poverty, poor wages, poor drinking water, poor housing. Do you have a plan for those communities?

Walz: Yeah, absolutely. I said this rural agenda that we put out, whether it’s making sure your local hospitals open, making sure your public schools are there, making sure that you have access to be able to buy affordable health care, and then the jobs, the jobs that we’re creating.  I will say, and I would ask your listeners, if they’re from all parts of the country, go look at what we’ve done in Minnesota. Look at why we focus on this issue, why Minnesota’s economy is thriving because we understand that our Latino Minnesotans, are a huge part of that economy, and many of them are in these rural areas. We know that housing, making housing affordable, down payment assistance so families can get in, that’s absolutely critical. Once again, I think the contrast between Donald Trump threatening to tear families apart, threatening, anger, threatening, you know, the statements that were made about Puerto Rico, those things, that’s what he’s offering. We’re offering a new way forward, an agenda that makes a difference.

Orozco: Final question, governor Walz, usually when you go out and talk to Latino voters, they don’t feel that the campaigns the candidates are directly talking with them. What are you doing to reach out to directly speak to Latino voters,

Walz: I think getting into the areas. I think being meeting with local Latino leaders, being there with mayors. We’re in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where I’m really proud we have a Latino mayor and Latino police chief. In Allentown, Pennsylvania. And meeting with them. Look, I don’t believe that I have all the solutions, nor Kamala Harris for those specific areas, but what they’re telling us is your policy agenda will move resources that we can implement. I think the biggest thing is being in those rooms, as I was in Allentown a couple days ago, with local leaders, with the public out there, and have them talk to me. I have to tell you, Samuel, I heard them. They are fearful. They’re fearful of Donald Trump. They’re fearful of what he would do. You should not be fearful in this country. You should be hopeful and optimistic, and that’s what Kamala Harris’s agenda is bringing. So I’ll continue to get out there. I’ll continue to listen to local leaders. I’ll continue to make myself available, just as the Vice President will. 

Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr