Tim Walz's Emotional DNC Speech: Midwest Takes Center Stage

CHICAGO — The Midwest has long been considered “flyover country” by many on the coasts. But in Chicago, the Midwest has temporarily taken over as the center of the political universe.

Democratic National Convention delegates roared as Minnesota governor and Midwestern dad Tim Walz took the stage for the biggest speech of his political career.

None were louder than the delegates from Minnesota, whose members cheered their state’s representation on the national stage while wearing Walz’s signature red flannels and camouflage-and-orange Harris-Walz baseball caps.

As Democratic power becomes ever-more concentrated in larger, coastal cities, Midwest progressives have felt increasingly overlooked by the party establishment.

But at the Democratic convention, celebrating Walz’s ascension to the presidential ticket has warmed the hearts of liberals across the heartland looking for a reminder that their party has not forgotten them.