Tim Walberg

Tim Walberg
Born	Timothy Lee Walberg 12 4, 1951
Birthplace	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	U.S. Representative from Michigan; Chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee
Education	Taylor University (BA) Wheaton College (MA)
Children	3
Website	[https://walberg.house.gov/ Official site]

Timothy Lee Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative from Michigan since 2011, currently representing the state's 5th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Walberg previously represented Michigan's 7th congressional district from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2023, making him the longest-tenured member of the Michigan congressional delegation. Before his service in the U.S. Congress, Walberg served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives for sixteen years, representing the 40th district from 1983 to 1992 and the 57th district from 1992 to 1999. An ordained minister with a background in pastoral work, Walberg has drawn on his faith and conservative principles throughout his political career. In January 2025, he assumed the chairmanship of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, succeeding Virginia Foxx of North Carolina. As dean of the Michigan congressional delegation, Walberg has worked across party lines on issues affecting the state, including bipartisan efforts to honor Michigan constituents and advance legislative priorities.

Early Life

Timothy Lee Walberg was born on April 12, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised in the Chicago metropolitan area. Details about his parents and siblings are not extensively documented in public records. Walberg's upbringing was shaped by a strong religious faith that would later influence both his career in ministry and his approach to public service.

Before pursuing a career in politics, Walberg worked as a pastor, a vocation that grew from his studies at religious institutions. He attended Western Illinois University and the Moody Bible Institute before completing his undergraduate education at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later obtained a Master of Arts degree from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, a prominent evangelical Christian liberal arts institution.

Walberg's religious background and pastoral experience have been noted by various publications tracking the religious affiliations of members of Congress. According to the Pew Research Center's "Faith on the Hill" analysis, Walberg has been identified as a member of a Protestant denomination. His connection to the United Brethren church has also been documented; in 2007, when he first took office in the U.S. Congress, he was recognized as the second United Brethren member to serve as a U.S. congressman.

Education

Walberg's educational path reflects both his religious commitments and his broader academic interests. He initially attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, before enrolling at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, a school focused on training students for Christian ministry and related vocations. He subsequently transferred to Taylor University, a private Christian university in Upland, Indiana, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree. Walberg then pursued graduate studies at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, earning a Master of Arts degree. Wheaton College is one of the most prominent evangelical Christian institutions of higher education in the United States. His educational background provided him with both theological training and the academic credentials that informed his later work as a pastor and legislator.

Career

Michigan House of Representatives (1983–1999)

Walberg began his career in elected office in 1983, when he was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 40th district. He succeeded James Hadden in the seat and served in this capacity for nearly a decade. Following redistricting in 1992, Walberg transitioned to representing the 57th district, where he continued to serve until 1999. Over the course of sixteen years in the state legislature, Walberg established a record as a conservative legislator focused on fiscal policy, education, and social issues. He was succeeded in the Michigan House by Doug Spade upon his departure in 1999.

During his tenure in the state House, Walberg built relationships with Republican colleagues and established a reputation within Michigan's conservative political circles. His years of state legislative experience provided a foundation for his later campaigns for federal office.

2004 Congressional Campaign

Walberg first sought a seat in the U.S. Congress in 2004, running in the Republican primary for Michigan's 7th congressional district. He was unsuccessful in that primary effort, losing to incumbent Joe Schwarz. The experience, however, positioned Walberg for a subsequent and more successful campaign.

First Term in Congress (2007–2009)

Walberg ran again for Michigan's 7th congressional district in 2006, this time winning the Republican primary against incumbent Joe Schwarz and going on to win the general election. He took office on January 3, 2007, succeeding Schwarz. His victory was noted in national political coverage, as it represented the unseating of a moderate Republican incumbent by a more conservative challenger during a primary.

During his first term, Walberg served in the 110th Congress. His tenure was marked by alignment with conservative Republican positions on fiscal and social issues. However, the 2008 election cycle proved challenging for many Republican incumbents, and Walberg was defeated by Democrat Mark Schauer in the November 2008 general election. Walberg's loss was part of a broader Democratic wave that year, which saw the party gain seats in Congress alongside Barack Obama's presidential victory.

Return to Congress (2011–present)

Walberg mounted a comeback campaign in 2010, challenging the incumbent Schauer in a political environment that had shifted significantly in favor of Republicans. He won the 2010 general election, reclaiming the 7th district seat. He took office again on January 3, 2011, and has served continuously in Congress since that time.

Walberg was reelected in 2012, defeating Democratic challenger Kurt Haskell in what was a closer contest than some of his subsequent races. He continued to win reelection in subsequent cycles, solidifying his hold on the district.

Following the 2020 redistricting cycle, Michigan's congressional map was redrawn, and Walberg transitioned from the 7th district to the newly configured 5th congressional district, which he has represented since January 2023. The 5th district encompasses portions of southern Michigan, including areas that had previously been part of the 7th district.

Committee Assignments and Leadership

In the 119th Congress, Walberg assumed the position of Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, succeeding Virginia Foxx of North Carolina. In this role, Walberg oversees the committee's jurisdiction, which includes education policy, labor standards, workforce development, and federal nutrition programs.

Walberg has been a member of several congressional caucuses during his tenure. He has been affiliated with the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of conservative House Republicans. He has also been a member of the Congressional Constitution Caucus. Additionally, he has participated in the House Baltic Caucus, reflecting Michigan's connections to Baltic heritage communities.

Legislative Priorities

Throughout his congressional career, Walberg has pursued a range of legislative priorities that reflect his conservative political orientation. His work as chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee has placed him at the center of policy debates over federal education programs, labor regulations, and oversight of federal spending on nutrition and social welfare programs.

In February 2026, Walberg continued an investigation into fraud in federal nutrition programs in Minnesota, sending a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as part of the committee's oversight activities. The investigation concerned allegations of misuse of federal funds designated for child nutrition programs, and represented one of the committee's high-profile oversight actions during the 119th Congress.

Walberg has also been active on civil liberties issues. In February 2026, he co-introduced the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act alongside Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland. The bipartisan legislation seeks to reform the federal civil asset forfeiture process by raising the burden of proof required for the government to seize property. According to reporting by WSJM, the FAIR Act would raise the level of proof necessary for the federal government to seize assets through civil forfeiture proceedings.

On energy policy, Walberg introduced the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, which advanced through the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy in February 2026. The legislation addresses federal responses to energy emergencies.

Walberg has also supported election integrity legislation. In 2026, he backed the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. The legislation passed the House with Walberg's support.

Climate Change Comments

In 2017, Walberg attracted national media attention for comments he made about climate change. At a town hall event, Walberg stated his belief that if climate change is real, God would "take care of it." The remarks were widely reported in national media outlets. The comments came in the context of the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Walberg's remarks were cited by both supporters and critics as illustrative of the broader debate within the Republican Party regarding climate policy.

Role as Dean of Michigan Delegation

As the longest-serving member of the Michigan congressional delegation, Walberg serves as the dean of the delegation on the Republican side. In this capacity, he works with Democratic counterpart Representative Debbie Dingell on bipartisan efforts affecting the state. In February 2026, Walberg and Dingell jointly led the Michigan delegation in honoring the state's athletes selected for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Walberg has also used his position to recognize constituents in his district. In February 2026, he named Brian Peacock of Reading as his Veteran of the Month for Hillsdale County, part of an ongoing program through which his office honors military veterans in Michigan's 5th congressional district.

Personal Life

Walberg and his wife reside in Michigan. The couple have three children. Walberg's background as an ordained minister and his education at the Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton College reflect his deep involvement in the evangelical Christian community. His faith has been a publicly acknowledged aspect of his life and political identity throughout his career.

Walberg's relationship with other members of the Michigan delegation has been documented. He has spoken publicly about his relationship with the late Representative John Dingell, a Democrat who served as the longest-tenured member of the U.S. House of Representatives. In a recorded statement from February 2019, Walberg discussed their working relationship despite their political differences, reflecting the bipartisan tradition of the Michigan delegation.

Walberg's campaign activities are conducted through his campaign committee, Tim Walberg for Congress, which is registered with the Federal Election Commission.

Recognition

As chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Walberg holds one of the more prominent committee chairmanships in the U.S. House of Representatives. The position gives him significant influence over education, labor, and workforce policy at the federal level.

Walberg's longevity in Michigan politics — spanning more than four decades from his first election to the state House in 1982 to his current service in Congress — has made him one of the most experienced political figures in the state. His status as the longest-tenured member of the Michigan congressional delegation has been widely noted in state political coverage.

His bipartisan legislative efforts, such as the FAIR Act co-introduced with Representative Jamie Raskin, have drawn attention from civil liberties organizations and legal reform advocates who have long sought changes to federal civil asset forfeiture laws.

Walberg's role in leading the Michigan delegation's recognition of the state's 2026 Winter Olympians further underscored his position as a senior figure in Michigan's federal representation.

Electoral History

Walberg's electoral record reflects the competitive nature of Michigan's 7th (and later 5th) congressional district. After an unsuccessful primary bid in 2004, he won the Republican primary in 2006, defeating incumbent Joe Schwarz, and went on to win the general election. He lost to Democrat Mark Schauer in 2008 during a difficult cycle for Republicans nationally, but recaptured the seat in 2010 as part of the Republican wave in that year's midterm elections.

Since his return to Congress in 2011, Walberg has won reelection in every subsequent cycle, including in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. His 2012 victory was noted as a competitive race during a presidential election year. His consistent reelection reflects both the Republican-leaning composition of his district and his established name recognition among constituents in southern Michigan.