MINNEAPOLIS — Former President Donald Trump’s projected win of the presidency has many in Minnesota questioning what the following steps will probably be for Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
Vice President Kamala Harris gave her concession speech Wednesday afternoon from Howard College in Washington, D.C. Although Walz didn’t converse on the occasion, he was requested what was subsequent as he left the rally. His reply: “Minnesota.”
Walz, 60, returned to his state Wednesday night to proceed to serve his second time period as governor of Minnesota. Peggy Flanagan, who would have stepped into the governorship had Walz’s ticket received, will stay lieutenant governor.
Walz has two years left on his time period. For the rest of the time period, he might have a tougher time getting insurance policies handed in comparison with the accomplishments made through the landmark 2023 session.
As of now, management for the Minnesota Home is up within the air after Republicans had been capable of flip three seats, with a number of different races doubtless heading to a recount — which means the Democratic “trifecta” of energy within the state is doubtful.
Larry Jacobs, a politics professor on the College of Minnesota, took it a step additional.
“The wheels of the DFL progressive bus simply got here to a screeching halt,” he stated. “The DFL isn’t going to have the ability to transfer large budgets and large programmatic concepts as they did in 2023. The Republicans are both going to have a tie within the Home, wherein case they’ll stymie issues, or they’re going to have the bulk wherein they’re going to vote down regardless of the DFL sends them that includes extra taxes, extra spending, extra regulation. So this can be a large, large win for the Republicans.”
Walz has not indicated whether or not or not he would run once more for governor of Minnesota if his vice presidential bid failed.
Walz releases assertion
Following Trump’s win, Walz launched a press release on social media.
“Thanks Vice President Kamala Harris for placing your religion in me, and deciding on me as your operating mate. Campaigning at your facet was the dignity and privilege of my life. Whereas the result isn’t what we needed, I’m grateful to the tens of millions of People who joined our marketing campaign and stood up for our best beliefs: decency, compassion, and love of our neighbor. Now greater than ever, we want you to proceed combating for these values and the nation all of us love.”
What’s Walz’s doubtless path as a politician at this level?
Hamline College professor and political skilled David Schultz advised WCCO he believes not solely has Walz’s path for nationwide politics almost certainly ended, however his path in Minnesota politics can be “nearly coming to an finish.”
On the state stage, Walz’s prospects of successful a 3rd time period as governor do not look promising.
“Except for Rudy Perpich, no governor in Minnesota since post-WWII has efficiently run and been elected to a 3rd time period as governor,” Schultz stated. “The possibilities of him deciding to run and win grow to be difficult for him.”
At a nationwide stage, Schultz stated analysts will probably be searching for explanation why Harris misplaced.
“Some are going to level to Walz as the selection for vp. … That he did not resonate with these voters in Pennsylvania or Wisconsin or Michigan. That turns into one subject to consider right here,” Schultz stated.
It is true that oftentimes, vice presidents finally run for president — akin to Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey — however that is after they’ve already been a part of a successful ticket on the nationwide stage.
Schultz additionally notes the share of the favored vote that Walz has acquired has steadily gone down since he first ran for governor. That additionally contains the 2024 presidential election.
“Harris bought a fewer share of the vote than Presiden Biden did, wins fewer counties than Biden did, so I feel his path when it comes to a future in Minnesota politics is tough,” Schultz stated.
Jae Hong / AP
Walz supplied a ultimate deal with on a nationwide platform earlier than the election on “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” Monday evening, the place he underscored the Harris marketing campaign’s give attention to Pennsylvania, the hotly contested battleground state that Trump finally received, together with its 19 electoral votes.
Throughout a rally in La Crosse, Wisconsin earlier that day, Walz advised the viewers that if Harris and he defeat Trump, voters “aren’t ever going to should see this man on TV once more and take heed to him.”
Walz pressured the way forward for American democracy is at stake.
“The factor is upon us now, people. I do know there may be quite a lot of anxiousness. The choices over the following 24-36 hours will form not simply the following 4 years, they are going to form the approaching generations,” Walz stated.
Throughout his time as governor, Walz skilled a number of main crises. In his first time period, he confronted harsh criticism from Republicans amid the twin dilemmas of the COVID-19 pandemic and the violent rebellion that adopted the homicide of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.
Earlier than serving as governor, Walz led Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District within the U.S. Home of Representatives from 2006 to 2019. Previous to his political profession, the Nebraska native served within the Military Nationwide Guard for almost 1 / 4 century.
