[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced his guests for his first State of the State address. Governor Walz’s speech will be dedicated to sharing eight stories of Minnesotans to elevate the human impact of policy debates at the Capitol and highlight the important work that has yet to be done this legislative session.

“Tonight is an opportunity to remind ourselves why we are here,” said Governor Walz. “Not to score political points or one-up one another—it’s to serve the people of Minnesota. I want to seize this moment to ground ourselves in the stories of fellow Minnesotans; to talk about the successes they achieve when given opportunity and the challenges too many still face.”

“These stories are not unique—they can be heard across the state,” Walz continued. “We need to listen. We need to elevate above partisanship. And we need to do what Minnesota does best: lead. Let’s write our own story.”

Governor Walz will not use a teleprompter or recite a poll-tested speech. Instead, he will go back to his roots as a classroom teacher and speak directly to Minnesotans from the heart. Governor Walz will challenge the Legislature to rise above the partisan gridlock that’s all too common in Washington and work together to improve the lives of people across the state.

The State of the State Address will be delivered on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:00 pm in the Minnesota State Capitol House Chamber, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155.

To watch a live stream of the event, tune in to the Governor’s Facebook page.

Meet the Governor’s guests below:

WILL HANDKE AND ROSS POMEROY

Will Handke and Ross Pomeroy are identical twin brothers who grew up in Mankato, Minnesota. Will took his mother’s maiden name, Ross took his father’s. They attended Mankato West High School and were students of Governor Tim Walz. In their early twenties, Ross and Will were tired of the processed granola bars available in grocery stories. They joined up with three high school friends to start a snack bar company that focuses on quality, fresh ingredients. Their products, “nomi bars,” are now carried in 600 stores nationwide. When asked about their success, they credit their teachers who instilled confidence in them that they can achieve their dreams. Governor Walz will share their story to highlight the power of education and the need to invest in our education system to ensure every child receives the same opportunities that Ross and Will did.

“As a former student of Governor Walz’s, I experienced firsthand how much he values education and opportunity for every student,” said Will Handke, Co-founder of nomi Snacks. “I had teachers at Mankato West High School that were world-class – caring, motivated, and knowledgeable. I wouldn't be the person I am without them. That’s why it’s imperative that we fully and effectively invest in the education of today’s students and the future of our state. I’m proud to be here as Governor Walz’s guest to highlight the critical need to invest in our education system so that every child has the same opportunities I did.”

“It’s an honor to be invited to attend Governor Walz’s first State of the State Address,” said Ross Pomeroy, Co-founder of nomi Snacks. “I was a student of Governor Walz’s at Mankato West High School and I will never forget his passion for instilling confidence within his students. I believe a big part of why my brother and I have been successful in starting our own business is because of teachers like him, who told us we could do anything we set our minds on”

AMANDA FJELD

Amanda Fjeld is a math teacher and instructional coach in the Floodwood School District, a small town in northern Minnesota. Amanda grew up in Floodwood and attended public school there before becoming a teacher herself. Next week, the Floodwood School District will vote on an operating referendum. If it doesn’t pass, they will be forced to lay off over a quarter of their teachers and merge grades. Governor Walz will tell Amanda’s story to stress the critical need to make meaningful investments in our schools to ensure every child receives a quality education, no matter their race or zip code.

“Growing up in Floodwood, I was lucky to attend a great school that inspired me to become a teacher myself,” said Amanda Fjeld, a middle school math teacher from Floodwood, Minnesota. “But the education of my students is now in jeopardy. If we don’t pass an operating referendum next week, we will be forced to lay off teachers, merge grades, and cut curriculum. This is not right. I am proud to be here as Governor Walz’s guest to demonstrate the critical need to pass his budget and invest in our school so that every child receives a high-quality education.”

DR. NATHAN CHOMILO

Dr. Nathan Chomilo is a general pediatrician and doctor of internal medicine in the Twin Cities. Dr. Chomilo focuses on the impacts early childhood intervention and health care access have on the long-term health of children. He is one of the founding members of Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity, and is passionate about how physicians and health systems can address racial and health equity. Dr. Chomilo is also the Medical Director of the non-profit Reach Out and Read Minnesota, an initiative that integrates literacy into pediatric care by providing developmentally-appropriate books for children to take home after their check-ups. Governor Walz will share his story to highlight the need to protect the health care access fund and ensure Minnesotans have access to affordable, quality health care.  

“I am honored that Governor Walz invited me to the State of the State to highlight the critical need to expand access to affordable, quality health care,” said Dr. Nathan Chomilo. “Thousands of Minnesotans are living one illness away from bankruptcy, and I know this situation would only get worse for my patients if we let the provider tax expire. The provider tax is not a ‘sick tax.’ The true sick tax is paid by those who seek care without insurance or don’t get care when they need it because they lack coverage. That is the tax Minnesota can’t afford.”

DEBORAH MILLS

Deborah Mills and her husband, Kent, own Mills Dairy, a 120-acre farm in Goodhue County with more than 270 cows. Kent’s family have been dairy farmers for four generations, and their daughters have been finalists for Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Deborah is the Goodhue County President for the Minnesota Farmers Union. For a period of time, Deborah and her family could not afford health insurance on the individual market and had to go without coverage. Governor Walz will tell her story to highlight the need to expand access to affordable health care.

“With eroding farm incomes, severe weather, and soaring health care costs, I feel pressure every day as a dairy farmer in Minnesota,” said Deborah Mills, a dairy farmer in Goodhue County. “I know many other people in my community who have stories similar to mine, and I’m touched that Governor Walz is sharing my story to highlight the need to take care of one another. His OneCare program would empower Minnesotans—especially farmers— by ensuring we have access to affordable health care and mental health services. It’s refreshing to see a kind of leadership that puts people before politics.”

MAYOR BEN SCHIERER

Ben Schierer is the Mayor of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and together with his wife Tessa, owner of Union Pizza & Brewing Company in downtown Fergus Falls. Mayor Schierer was elected to the Fergus Falls City Council in 2004 and to the Mayor’s Office in 2016. As part of Minnesota Mayors Together, Ben has worked to break down divides between rural and urban cities and towns. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. Ben and Tessa live in Fergus Falls with their five children. Governor Walz will share his story to highlight the benefits of investing in local communities in Greater Minnesota.

“Governor Walz knows the state of our cities is critical to the State of our State,” said Mayor Ben Schierer. “That is why his budget puts forward policies that empower local leaders and foster community prosperity for everyone, regardless of what they look like or where they live in Minnesota. He is committed to ensuring communities across the state aren’t just surviving—they are thriving.”

HOUSTON WHITE

Houston White is an entrepreneur in North Minneapolis, where he runs a barbershop, clothing design and retail shop, and a coffee bar and community space. He built the brand HWMR (Houston White Menswear) with a mantra of “Black Excellence” to inspire pride in the neighborhood and its residents. His goal is to attract more black professionals to open businesses and buy homes in North Minneapolis to revitalize the community. A portion of the profits from HWMR go towards the HWMR Scholarship Fund for Future Entrepreneurs. Governor Walz will tell his story to emphasize the need to invest in community-based initiatives, foster innovation, and tackle racial, economic, and geographic disparities.

“I am proud to be Governor Walz’s guest to show the potential we can unleash in our communities when we invest in our people,” said Houston White, an entrepreneur based in the heart of North Minneapolis. “He understands that we must tackle economic, racial, and geographic disparities head on to ensure every Minnesotan has the opportunity to succeed.”

MARY INGMAN

Mary Ingman and her children – Ben, Kate, and Jake – have been close friends and neighbors of Governor Walz and the First Lady in Mankato for nearly 25 years. Governor Walz taught both Ben and Kate at Mankato West High School, and was Ben’s basketball coach. In December of 1996, Mary’s husband, Charles, was killed in a head-on car collision on Highway 14. Since the 1980s, more than 145 people have been killed on the highway—most of the accidents occurring on the remaining two-lane stretch of road. The Governor will share the Ingman family story to emphasize the critical need to improve our transportation system and keep Minnesotans safe.

“Governor Walz has been our friend and neighbor for nearly 25 years,” said Mary Ingman. “My husband’s death on Highway 14 was a tragedy that we hope no one else has to experience. My family and I are honored to be here tonight to highlight the dire need to invest in our transportation system.”

GORDON (GORDY) KIRK

Gordon W. Kirk is a World War II Army Veteran and advocate for the Minnesota Veterans community. He served on the front lines as a Quartermaster in the 3^rd Army, 4^th Armor Division (Patton’s Vanguard) in the European Theater from 1943 to 1945 when U.S. service members were segregated. He landed on the beaches of Normandy, with campaigns in Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After his service, Gordy was involved in creating the Twin Star VFW Post 8854, which he joined on February 10, 1964, and is a life member. He is the first African-American VFW member in Minnesota to attain the high office of Department Commander. He has served as the VFW’s Hospital Representative since 1997, where he advocates for Veterans who seek assistance from the VA Medical Center. As a VFW leader, he has worked to bring diversity to Minnesota’s Veterans organizations and ensure that all Veterans are welcome. Gordy is a long-time resident of St. Paul. Governor Walz will tell his story to honor veterans’ sacrifice for our nation.