In Dallas fundraising visit, VP nominee Tim Walz casts Republicans as fearmongers

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told supporters Monday in Dallas that economic growth and investing in families and public education can coexist, resulting in an economy that works for everyone.
Briefly in town for a private fundraiser, the Democratic vice presidential candidate sought to cast Republicans as fearmongers who, if elected, will target personal freedoms and reproductive rights, including in vitro fertilization.
Walz offered a contrasting view of policymaking, pointing to his record in Minnesota, where he signed a bill last year providing free breakfast and lunch at public schools. He said achievement is improving and truancy is down.
“Fear is a good short-term motivator. I used to supervise the lunch room,” Walz said, referring to his background as a school teacher. “It works for a short time, but it doesn’t inspire people.”
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Walz’s roughly 30-minute address at a downtown Dallas hotel touched on the southern border, which he has acknowledged is a crisis but said is possible to secure in a more humane way, and Project 2025, the conservative plan to remake the government under a Republican president. The document has sparked alarm from Democrats and some independent voters, and former President Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from the plan.
“They’re not kidding,” Walz said. “When someone writes out a plan, they’re going to do it.”
Walz, a longtime football coach, nodded to the Dallas Cowboys and their commanding 33-17 victory Sunday over the Cleveland Browns.
“Congratulations, Dallas. All that money was well spent on Dak,” Walz joked, referring to Dak Prescott’s new four-year, $240 million contract extension.
Vice President Kamala Harris tapped Walz as her running mate in large part because of his ability to connect with voters in the middle of the country. Sharon Young, who hosted Monday’s event at Hall Arts Hotel, introduced Walz as a “gun owner, hunter and expert marksman” who also understands the importance of common-sense gun reform.
“In Texas, we dream of a governor like Tim Walz,” Young said to applause and laughter.
Walz, traveling with his daughter, Hope, was greeted at Dallas Love Field by a slate of Democratic and Latino activists, including San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg; Roman Palomares, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens; Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party; and Monique Alcala, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party.
Solidly Republican Texas is not considered a presidential battleground, but the state is a reliable stop for Democrats and Republicans seeking campaign cash. About 150 donors attended Monday’s fundraiser in Dallas. A spokesperson for the campaign did not immediately say how much money the event raised.
After leaving Dallas, Walz headed to Nevada, a battleground state in the presidential contest between Harris and Trump. He will spend the next several weeks in other swing states, including Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Staff writer Joseph Morton contributed to this report.