WASHNGTON – The Trump campaign’s opposition research unit, looking for dirt on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has briefed its on-the-ground people about about a murky1995 traffic stop in which Walz may or may have been drunk but probably not. The story has cropped up every so often in Walz’s political career but never stuck. The story came out from Republicans in 2006 when Walz, a Democrat, ran for Congress the first time – and it resurfaced, although without less fervor, in Walz’s five later campaigns for Congress and in his two campaigns for governor. Minnesotans by and latrge have tired of the old tale. But in 2024, with Walz suddenly a rising in presidential politics, the Trump oppo-research have raised it anew.
The incident
Walz, age 31, was teaching high school in Nebraska in 1995. He was of some renown, having been named Outstanding Young Nebraskan by the state Junior Chamber of Commerce. On September 23 Walz was pulled over by a state trooper for going 96 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper smelled alcohol on Walz’s breath. According to the trooper, Walz failed a sobriety field sobriety. A test showed an blood-alcohol level of 0.12% about a fifth more than Nebraska’s legal definition of impairment at the time. He was booked in the county jail and charged with two counts — driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.
Long ago in Chadron. Walz mugshot after traffic stop.
The murkiness
There seems no doubt that Walz had imbibing that night in 1995. But was he drunk?
> After the traffic stop the state trooper allowed Walz to drive himself to jail. This hardly would have been police protocol if the trooper believed was impaired.
> What about failing roadside sobriety tests for dexterity and acuity? Walz suffered a hearing loss from his years in the Army Guard, which requires annal rifle training. Soldiers are supposed to wear earplugs, but the plugs ere a hassle, Many soldiers don’t bother. Also, the one-size-fits-all plugs don’t provide a tight anatomical block for every individual. For the record: Walz underwent ear surgery in 2005 to remedy his hearing loss.
> In court six weeks after the speeding stop, when his case finally was heard in curt, the judge asked Walz why it was against the law to drive with a 0.12% blood alcohol level. Walz responded, “[t’s not just statutory. It’s just a dangerous situation, Your Honor, not just to myself, but to others who are — who aren’t even involved with it.” The response fell shirt if an admission.
Conclusions
In 2018, when running for Minnesota governor and the 1995 incident again came up, Walz called his arrest a “life-changing moment.” He said he never drank again. So what can be concluded about the 29-year-old case?
> Walz was driving too fast.
> Alcohol was in his system, but he probably wasn’t impaired.
> And he doesn’t drink at all anymore.
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