Gus Waltz had a front row seat to the biggest moment of his father’s life and was bursting with pride.
“That’s my dad!” the 17-year-old shouted. He rose to his feet and, tears streaming down his cheeks, pointed at his father, Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor who was accepting the Democratic nomination for vice president before thousands in a packed arena and millions watching at home.
The teenager’s vibrant image captured people’s hearts and went viral, becoming an iconic image of her father’s speech and further humanizing the running mate chosen by Vice President Kamala Harris for her down-to-earth appeal.
Gus cried throughout his father’s speech, but when it was over he came onstage with his family, hugged his father tightly and buried his face in his shoulder.
Gus is a senior in high school.
His parents recently revealed to People magazine that he has a non-verbal learning disability, ADHD and anxiety disorders.
But they called his illness “his secret power” and said he was “brilliant” and poised to succeed.
He got his driver’s license last fall.
When Tim Walz was elected governor, Gus rejoiced because he could keep a dog.
A few months later, they adopted a black Labrador named Scout.
Gus Waltz is getting his turn in the spotlight after his sister, Hope Waltz, 23, delighted Americans with a playful social media video she filmed with their father.
Tim Waltz often talks about the fertility treatments his wife Gwen underwent to conceive Hope, which he says inspired the name.
As he told the story Wednesday, Hope made a heart with her hands and held it over her chest.
“Hope, Gus, Gwen,” Waltz told his family, “you guys mean my world. I love you guys.”
