In the month since Tim Walz was chosen to be the Democratic vice presidential candidate, he has catapulted to national stardom. From attending fundraisers to turning on his all-American everyman charm to headline the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, eliciting rapturous applause, Walz seems to have changed the conversation on what it means to be a Democrat overnight.

In Minnesota, Walz’s sudden rise came as a pleasant surprise for Democrats. Walz briefly received flashes of national recognition during his time as governor for the implementation of his free student lunch policy and the codification of abortion protection in the state; however, his relatively unassuming presence kept him out of mind for many students.

Junior James Welsh voiced the general consensus about student knowledge on Walz prior to this summer. “I’ve been following him loosely since he became governor of Minnesota. I mean, he generally seemed like a good guy, but I just didn’t know that much about him. And then, you know, when he suddenly became the number one vice presidential candidate, I learned a lot about him.”

Walz joining the presidential ticket highlights the significant effect of President Biden’s historic withdrawal from the race. The new ticket has re-energized Democrats, resulting in increases in favorable polling, volunteers and donations. The governor’s first month as his party’s vice presidential nominee has additionally raised optimism among Democrats about their prospects in swing states, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota.

“Throughout his career, he’s tried to help everyone, and I think that really shines through, whether it’s providing free meals for all public school students, or being one of the most pro-LGBTQ governors in all of the states. I think he’s really done a great job,” said Welsh.

Senior Belle Weng will be a first-time voter this year. Weng was largely indifferent about voting before this fall, describing herself as part of the crowd that only gets drawn into following politics when election season starts to ramp up. As a result, like many ordinary voters, she didn’t take notice of Walz until now.

“I knew his name when he first became governor, but I didn’t really know his policies until recently,” said Weng.

Having an official from Minnesota on the national stage has also increased her political awareness. His proximity and familiarity with Minnesotans have resulted in greater discussion of the election, allowing Weng to absorb more information than she would otherwise without intentionally researching the candidates.

Though Walz’s nomination for vice president would not determine her overall vote, she feels that, as with her experience of increasing her political engagement with his nomination, Walz’s roots could sway Minnesotan voters. “[He’s] someone who’s familiar, someone who’s done things in the state that were tangible. It’s like, ‘Oh, I trust that guy’.”

Tim Walz’s unusual background as a former history teacher, football coach and member of the military has aided Democrats in flipping a historically Republican narrative to appeal to more moderate voters.

“Democrats are trying to reclaim more rural voters, mostly older white men, which is a demographic that tends to skew Republican, so someone who won a traditionally Republican district, who was a football coach and who gives an alternative, far less toxic version of masculinity, being on the ticket is an appealing idea,” said Government and Citizenship teacher Aaron Shulow, who has followed Tim Walz’s career since he first was elected to the House of Representatives for Minnesota’s 1st congressional district in 2006, defeating six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht.

Weng agreed. “I think a lot of the Republican rhetoric is [that] Democrats are not American enough. But he’s your staple American man who has…done all these things that are very typically masculine. It begs the question of, what can you pick at him for? He’s kind of like – not untouchable, per se, but…”

But, as Democrats hope, he’s the next best thing.

Not all of Walz’s appeal lies in his background or policies, though. “People were turned off by politics in part because it seemed like there’s going to be another rerun between two old white men. Tim Walz seems, whatever you think of his policies, authentic and joyful, and people responded to that positive energy,” said Shulow.

Whether Walz is successful or not in swaying voters will be difficult to determine, as most people don’t make their decision for President based on the VP pick. However, in what could be an extremely close race, Walz may have just enough charm and moderate appeal in swing states – Minnesota and beyond – crucial to Democratic success in November’s election.