(Saint Paul) Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, has ended his campaign for a third term as President Donald Trump pursues a fraud investigation into the state’s child care programs.
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Less than four months after announcing his reelection bid, Mr. Walz said Monday that he can no longer devote the energy needed to win another term, even though he says he can win.
In a statement, Mr. Walz said he “cannot fully commit to a political campaign” after what he called “an extremely difficult year for our state.”
“Donald Trump and his allies – in Washington, in Saint Paul and on the internet – want to make our state colder and more hostile,” lamented Mr. Walz, referring to the freezing of funds allocated to these programs by the Trump administration.
“They want to sow discord among our fellow citizens by attacking our neighbors. And, ultimately, they want to take away from us what makes Minnesota the best place in America to raise a family. »
According to a source close to Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the latter is considering running for governor. The person, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity, said Ms.me Klobuchar had not yet made a final decision.
A dozen Republicans are already in the running. Among them is Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of MyPillow, a climate skeptic close to Mr. Trump. Also included are Lisa Demuth, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives; the Dr Scott Jensen, former state senator and 2022 party candidate; State Rep. Kristin Robbins; defense attorney and former federal prosecutor Chris Madel; former executive Kendall Qualls; and former Minnesota Republican Party Chairman David Hann.
A progressive record
Tim Walz, a former soldier and union supporter, helped implement an ambitious Democratic agenda for his state, including expanded protections for abortion rights and generous aid to families.
Vice President Kamala Harris chose Mr. Walz as her running mate after his attacks on Mr. Trump and his running mate, then-Ohio Senator JD Vance, resonated across the country. He then described the two Republican candidates as “simply bizarre.”
Since his defeat and that of Mme Harris in November 2024, Mr. Walz has continued to make his name known on the national stage. He was very critical of Mr. Trump during his tour of the states where the first caucuses and primaries were taking place. In May, he urged South Carolina Democrats to stand up to the Republican president, saying, “Maybe it’s time to be a little more incisive.” »
During his two terms as governor, Mr. Walz implemented a progressive agenda in a closely divided Legislature. During his first term, he had to deal with a Democratic-majority House of Representatives and a Republican-controlled Senate who resisted his proposals to raise taxes to finance education, health care and roads. However, he helped find compromises.
He used the emergency powers of his position during the COVID-19 pandemic to close businesses and schools, sparking strong reactions from Republicans. Republicans also criticized Tim Walz for his reaction deemed too slow to the sometimes violent unrest which followed the death of George Floyd, killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020.
During his second term, Mr. Walz worked with Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers to steer the state administration toward more progressive policies, including a large budget surplus. Minnesota lifted nearly all abortion restrictions put in place by Republicans, protected access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth and legalized recreational cannabis use.
These measures, combined with her rural background and her experience representing southern Minnesota in Congress, caught the attention of Kamala Harris, then looking for a running mate for her 2024 presidential campaign. After a quick selection, she chose Tim Walz over other candidates like Roy Cooper (North Carolina), Andy Beshear (Kentucky), Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania) and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Mr. Walz was warmly received by Democratic voters, but his performance during the debate against his opponent, Mr. Vance, sparked mixed reactions.
Minnesota has traditionally voted Democratic in presidential and state elections in recent decades. Mr. Walz won his second term in 2022 by nearly eight points, but Mr. Trump narrowed that advantage to less than five points in 2024.
