I contacted the Tim Walz for Governor campaign in the summer of 2017 to offer my help, so I was on board early. Back then, I reviewed all the candidates and decided that, as a greater Minnesota congressman, Tim would be the DFL candidate most likely to win. I volunteered to work at his table at the 2017 state fair, where I meet him for the first time.

On the day after Tim was elected the next governor of Minnesota, I am basking in the glow, knowing that I contributed a small part to his big election.

To appreciate the magnitude of his victory, I thought I would walk down memory lane to review, in the words of the Grateful Dead, what a long strange trip it’s been.

Thanks to a search on the StarTribune website, below are the headlines (with subheadlines and first sentence(s) if helpful) connected to the 2018 Minnesota Governor’s Race – from November 17, 2016, when Erin Murphy jumped into the race, to March 27, 2017, when Tim joined the race, to October 5, 2017, when Tim picked Peggy Flanagan as his running mate, to caucus night, to gun-control opinion piece, to state convention, to primary election, to November 6 and victory!

It’s been fun and exciting. Thank you, Tim and Peggy, for letting me be part of it.

November 17, 2016
Erin Murphy, DFL state representative from St. Paul, is first to jump into 2018 governor’s race
DFLer, a former House majority leader, is first to file in ’18 statewide race.

December 13, 2016
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman joins the race for governor

January 11, 2017
Rep. Rick Nolan considering run for governor

January 29, 2017
State Auditor Rebecca Otto enters 2018 race for governor
Her job is not well known, but she has won three statewide elections and hopes to stand out.

March 4, 2017
In governor’s race, St. Paul’s Coleman takes on mayoral jinHoping to make the leap to the governor’s office in 2018, he takes his case statewide.

March 5, 2017
Minn. Attorney General Lori Swanson takes quiet approach to job, political ambitions
Considering a run for governor, Minnesota’s attorney general has built alliances and her record — all under the radar.

March 17, 2018
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will not run for governor in 2018
Her surprise decision clears way for fellow DFLers.

March 27
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz running for governor
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz said Monday he is running for governor in 2018.
Walz said in a phone interview that he brings a “passion for Minnesota” and a “proven ability to get things done working with other folks.”

April 2, 2017
State Rep. Liebling announces bid for governor
Rochester DFLer touts her expertise in health care policy.

June 14, 2017
Former Minnesota DFL House Speaker Paul Thissen to run for governor
The DFL field in the race to replace Gov. Mark Dayton continues to grow.

July 2, 2018
As he runs for governor, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz aims for middle ground
Tim Walz, the soldier turned geography teacher turned unlikely congressman, is trying to chart a course to Minnesota’s governorship across the state’s fractured political map.

August 14, 2017
State Auditor Rebecca Otto campaigns for governor while fighting for the future of her office
It’s two campaigns at once for the energetic Otto, who’s one of a growing group of DFLers running for governor in 2018

August 19, 2017
Chris Coleman takes on early baggage in race for governor
The St. Paul mayor proposed a 24 percent increase in the property tax levy last week, and if you’re explaining, you’re losing.

September 8, 2017
DFL candidates for governor line up behind marijuana legalization
Most of the DFL’s leading candidates for governor support legal cannabis for recreational, not just medicinal use

September 23, 2017
For Minnesota’s 2018 gubernatorial candidates, it’s decision time
It’s that time during the election cycle when a bunch of potential candidates are weighing whether their party has the headwinds or tailwinds; whether they can raise money; and whether they have the fire in the belly — to endure endless bean feeds, calls to potential delegates and nosy questions from people like me — to make a run.

October 1, 2017
Rep. Erin Murphy puts health care at center of campaign for governor
The DFL legislator has some high-profile opponents, but she has quietly carved out a spot as a candidate to watch.

October 5, 2017
DFL candidate for governor Tim Walz picks Peggy Flanagan, state representative from Twin Cities, as running mate
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz has selected state Rep. Peggy Flanagan of St. Louis Park as running mate in his campaign to be Minnesota’s next governor, hoping to both bolster his credibility with progressives and bring geographic balance as he mounts a bid from greater Minnesota.

October 23, 2017
GOP candidates plow ahead, even as some Republicans wait for something better
Five Republican candidates for governor gathered for a forum at a north metro chamber of commerce event including former GOP state Chairman Keith Downey, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, State Rep. Matt Dean, State Senator David Osmek, and Phillip Parrish

December 7, 2017
Rep. Matt Dean tops GOP governor straw poll
Party activists picked from a field of seven candidates.

January 19, 2018
Walz, Johnson, lead the field in governor race, but many Minnesotans remain undecided
Minnesota Poll: But many voters remain undecided as crowded race gets started.

February 1, 2018
Tracking fundraising in Minnesota’s gubernatorial race
As of the most recent filing, the DFL’s gubernatorial candidates are out-raising the GOP.
DFL Candidates: Tim Walz, Chris Coleman, Erin Murphy, Rebecca Otto, Paul Thissen, Tina Liebling
Republican Candidates: Jeff Johnson, Keith Downey, Mary Giuliani Stephens, Phillip Parrish

February 6, 2018
Minnesota caucuses are opening volley in high-stakes election year
Activists of both parties will gather to select party leaders, hash out platform planks and make choices in a nonbinding straw poll for governor.

February 7, 2018
Tim Pawlenty, weighing return to Minnesota politics, leaves D.C. lobbying job
The former governor and his allies have been reaching out to donors, trying to gauge support for a possible run for a third term in his old job.

February 7, 2018
State Rep. Paul Thissen drops out of Minnesota governor’s race
Former House speaker finished last in straw poll.

February 23, 2018
Tim Walz: Please understand my full record on guns
It’s evolving in some ways, but I’ve always been a reformer.

February 27, 2018
Guns and public safety: The curious evolution of U.S. Rep. Tim Walz
Counterpoint: His timing is fascinating. But a candidate’s voting record is the best reflection of who that person truly is.

April 4, 2018
A look at the major candidates for Minnesota governor
Democratic Candidates: Tina Liebling, Erin Murphy, Rebecca Otto, Tim Walz
Republican Candidates: Keith Downey, Jeff Johnson, Mary Giuliani Stephens

April 6, 2018
Tim Pawlenty makes it official: He’s running for governor again

May 31, 2018
Faith group backs Rep. Erin Murphy as Tim Walz also scrambles for delegates
St. Paul state rep in tight battle with Walz, Otto for DFL backing in campaign to run for governor.

June 3, 2018
DFL endorses Pelikan for AG after Swanson drops bid for party nod
Minnesota DFLers endorsed attorney and progressive activist Matt Pelikan for attorney general on Saturday after incumbent Lori Swanson unexpectedly dropped her bid for party backing.

June 4, 2018
Johnson, Murphy score party endorsements for governor, but primaries loom against Pawlenty, Walz
Walz, Pawlenty await as primary challengers to winners of convention endorsements.
Murphy, a state representative from St. Paul, snatched the endorsement from Walz on the strength of a robust campaign built on months of organizing and momentum from recent support by key labor groups. Walz had a small lead on the first ballot, but Murphy overtook him to cross the threshold for endorsement in seven ballots at the DFL convention in Rochester.

June 4, 2018
Outspoken legislator Erin Maye Quade endorsed as Erin Murphy’s running mate in governor’s race
Both major party picks now face contested primaries.

June 5, 2018
Attorney General Lori Swanson shakes up DFL field in governor’s race
Swanson enters DFL primary with Nolan as her running mate.

June 6, 2018
Break out the popcorn, it’s primary season
Days after the party endorsing conventions, we are neck-deep in would-be governors, lieutenant governors, attorneys general and congresspeople.

June 15, 2018
Do political party conventions matter in Minnesota?
Not much, unless you’re an insider on the far left or right.

June 15, 2018
Pawlenty, Walz beat party-endorsed rivals in fundraising
Republican Tim Pawlenty and DFLer Tim Walz have raised the most money so far this year in Minnesota’s wide-open race for governor, while their party-endorsed rivals lag considerably behind.

July 2, 2018
DFL race for governor splits along regional lines
Endorsed gubernatorial team could alienate rural Minnesota voters.

July 11, 2018
DFL candidates in race for Minnesota governor highlight health care plans
Plans include single-payer, MinnesotaCare buy-in, negotiated drug prices.

August 1, 2018
Pawlenty, Walz continue their fundraising lead in Minnesota governor’s race
Gubernatorial candidates are in the final push ahead of the Aug. 14 primary.

August 4, 2018
In Minnesota governor’s race, DFL is looking for the face of the future
The consequences for whoever wins Aug. 14 are huge: Whether Minnesota stays on a path set by eight years of a Democratic governor or joins neighboring states in choosing Republican rule.

August 5, 2018
Star Tribune endorsement for governor in DFL primary: Tim Walz
That role is critical in these divided times. He fits it. DFL voters would do well to think beyond the Nov. 6 election when they choose their party’s nominee for governor in the Aug. 14 primary.

August 15. 2018
‘One Minnesota’ won in primary election
Voters chose candidates who offered whole-state appeal.
Looking for a message in Tuesday’s Minnesota primary election results? Voters don’t like divide-and-conquer politics that deepen divisions between rural and urban Minnesotans. In both parties, voters chose gubernatorial candidates with the potential to appeal to the whole state.

October 21, 2018
DFLer Walz continues to lead Republican Jeff Johnson in governor’s race

October 26, 2018
Election endorsement: Tim Walz, a uniter, for governor

October 30, 2018
Tim Walz, Keith Ellison have big cash advantage in Minnesota races for governor, AG

November 6, 2018
Minnesotans head to the polls Tuesday for much-anticipated midterm election
Much is at stake in Minnesota’s midterm election, with an open race for governor, two U.S. Senate elections, a vicious AG race, several hotly contested congressional races and control of the Legislature up for grabs.

November 7, 2018
Walz elected Governor. Walz becomes Minnesota’s next governor