Tim attended elementary and high school in Fowler and was involved in a wide range of school activities both academic and athletic. He earned many awards including High School Valedictorian, State Scholar, All-League Honors in Football and Speech, and Farm Bureau Youth Leader. As a member of St. Anthony's Parish, he was active as a youth leader in his parish and diocese. He also learned many business and leadership skills through his extensive involvement in both 4-H and Future Farmers of America. Tim used these skills to begin his own small farming operation during these years.

Following high school, Tim attended a seminary in Santa Fe, New Mexico and pursued his bachelor's degree at the College of Santa Fe. During his college years Tim gained valuable insight into governmental budgeting as a budget and legislative analyst for the State of New Mexico. Teaching positions in public and private high schools, plus working in a program for disadvantaged youth were also critical experiences. He earned many academic awards and scholarships during his undergraduate studies including Summa Cum Laude graduation and Most Outstanding Graduate. Tim's volunteer activities during college included working in soup kitchens, developing pro-life support activities, and working with troubled Native American youth.

After his undergraduate education, Tim accepted a scholarship to pursue doctoral studies at The American University in Washington, D.C. Studying political science with a specialization in agriculture policy, he completed his Ph.D. there in four years. During his time at American University, Tim met his wife Angela and together they were active in assisting women in crisis pregnancies. Additionally, Tim was busy as a college instructor teaching public policy and working as a statistical analyst.

Upon graduation, Tim and Angela returned home to farm and ranch in Fowler. Tim was elected to the Kansas Senate in 1996, the youngest senator elected in twenty years. Serving on four high-profiles committees has kept him busy: Agriculture, Energy & Natural Resources, Elections and Local Government, and Joint Committee on Information Technology, including chairman of the latter two panels. Tim has twice won re-election by wide margins in both 2000 and 2004.

As an advocate for fiscal responsibility, protection for the unborn, judicial restraint, private property rights, and other family-friendly policies, Tim has become a leading conservative voice in the Senate. His reputation as a principled leader on economic and social issues has earned him multiple recognitions: Top Friend of the Taxpayer, Kansas Taxpayers Network; Daniel Award for Courageous Leadership, Kansans for Life; Ronald Reagan Outstanding Leadership Award, Kansas Republican Assembly; the prestigious Open Government Award, the Sunshine Coalition; member of the Nehemiah Project for Senator Sam Brownback; member of Attorney General Phill Kline's Criminal Justice Task Force; and nomination for the National Friend of the Taxpayer Award, Americans for Tax Reform.

Since being elected to the Senate, Tim and Angela have adopted four children: Natasha, Rebecca, Athan and Alexander. Both girls are from Haiti, while the two boys were already Americans. Tim enjoys working in his church and remains involved as a lector and usher. He also continues to enjoy involvement in various civic organizations, hunting, playing sports with his kids, and reading with the family. Meanwhile, Angela continues to work promoting and fostering adoptions.