> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://aftermath.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Things Tim Walz Is Less Weird Than J.D. Vance About: Democracy, Games
- URL: https://aftermath.site/tim-walz-esports/
- Published: 2024-08-07T01:01:05.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-27T17:13:36.000Z
- Author: Riley MacLeod
- Tags: Blog, News, esports, jd vance, kamala harris, magic: the gathering, Politics, tim walz, trump, valorant, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-10-27 13:00

Kamala Harris [picked](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/06/harris-walz-vp/?ref=aftermath.site) Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her Vice Presidential running mate today, the latest move in the tumultuous month-plus of [political chaos](https://aftermath.site/how-should-we-talk-about-the-trump-thing/) we've had since the Biden/Trump debate in June. People have seen the Walz pick as positive news; we know he's good about things like [free school lunch](https://x.com/MorePerfectUS/status/1820850821245829477?ref=aftermath.site), [unions](https://www.npr.org/2024/08/06/nx-s1-5065626/labor-unions-tim-walz-minnesota-running-mate-vp?ref=aftermath.site), and [queer rights](https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4808291-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-lgbtq-rights/?ref=aftermath.site). And, unlike VP opponent [J.D. Vance](https://www.vox.com/politics/360283/jd-vance-trump-vp-vice-president-authoritarian?ref=aftermath.site), he's not a weirdo about games.

As pointed out by Twitter user [JakeTheDad](https://x.com/JaketheDad30/status/1820820691056275534?ref=aftermath.site), in 2022 Walz wrote a congratulatory letter to the [Apple Valley High School esports team](https://avhs.district196.org/arts/co-curriculars-clubs/esports?ref=aftermath.site), praising them on "an undefeated season and winning the Minnesota Varsity League State Championship in *Valorant*." The team itself shouted out the mention today, [tweeting](https://x.com/AVHSEsports/status/1820934387728293927?ref=aftermath.site), "Feels a bit different now knowing we are the first and only esports team endorsed by the new VP candidate."

> [](https://twitter.com/AVHSEsports/status/1820934387728293927?ref=aftermath.site)

Vance is also in the news for games: in an interview with *Fox & Friends* host Ainsley Earhardt, Vance's wife Usha apparently [hesitated](https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-friends-dig-into-jd-vances-dorky-interests-after-wife-spills-on-his-passion-for-magic-the-gathering-card-came/?ref=aftermath.site) before confessing that what Earhardt called Vance's "dorky interest" is *Magic: The Gathering*. According to Earhardt, Usha Vance said J.D. is "going to kill me for saying this."

> [](https://twitter.com/OafMcNamara/status/1820604271345193441?ref=aftermath.site)

The Apple Valley High team has won [four consecutive *Valorant* championships](https://www.startribune.com/high-school-video-gaming-e-sports-minnesota-varsity-league-apple-valley/600344040?ref=aftermath.site), recieving a shoutout from [Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar](https://x.com/AVHSEsports/status/1768367862899478770?ref=aftermath.site) too. Walz wrote to the Apple Valley High team in 2022 that "With esports on the rise, I am extremely proud of you and the role you have taken on to grow esports participation at Apple Valley High School and in Minnesota. You are at the helm of transforming a hobby into a potentially life-changing career in a new and innovative realm of sports."

Meanwhile, when [Trump called Vance](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/jd-vance-son-trump-phone-call-b2590681.html?ref=aftermath.site) to offer him the VP slot, Vance apparently told his seven-year-old son to "shut the hell up for 30 seconds about Pikachu."

**Update, 8/9/24:** According to [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/us/tim-walz-coach.html?ref=aftermath.site), Walz has also played games, with players he coached in football recalling a story about "the time his wife had seized his Dreamcast, the Sega video game console, because he had been playing to excess."