If history had played out differently, Tim Walz might have been about to begin his second year as vice president. Instead, Minnesota’s governor is considering reteaching geography.
“What I’m really good at is, I’m a really good geography teacher,” Walz said with a laugh at a news conference Tuesday. “I thought I would have fun getting back out there and trying to teach.”
Before Walz ran for Congress and later governor, he was teacher and football coach at Mankato West High School in southern Minnesota.
Walz’s political future looks bright in 2024 due to his legislative success and folk image Help attract Kamala Harris choose him as her running mate. Despite their loss, Walz is still seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party — even possible presidential candidates 2028.
But Walz failed to prevent the massive Fraud in government programs On his watch, Monday gave up his pursuit for a third semester As governor.
He told reporters Tuesday that he doesn’t know what his future holds, except that he plans to run some marathons and defend the title he won in his age group in a shorter Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. He said he also expected to be busy fighting the epidemic next year Trump administration goals Minnesota, including Federal officials surge Enter the state.
“Look, I’ve got a year’s work to do here. I think it’s going to be the most challenging year, and that may include COVID,” he said, referring to his time leading the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic for much of 2020. “I’m warning Minnesotans that things are going to get worse before they get better … and for me, I’m going to do the job.”
Walz also highlighted one of his proudest achievements in office, the Jan. 1 launch of Paid family and medical leave The Legislature passed the plan in 2023, two years after Democrats took full control of the state House.
Walz and his allies took advantage of Minnesota’s customary, relatively rare break Decentralized government model arrive Remove nearly all abortion restrictions Enacted by Minnesota Republicans, Protecting gender-affirming care For transgender youth and Legalizing recreational marijuana. Their list of Democratic priorities also includes free school meals For all students and gun safety measure.
St. Olaf College political scientist Dan Hofrenen said he believes the end of Walz’s candidacy for governor could mean the end of his career in elected office.
“One never says never when it comes to political futures, but the two-term governor, vice presidential candidate did pretty well,” Hofrenning said. “To drop out of the race at the end of that campaign was an admission that he had some serious political weaknesses.”
Hofrenen said if Walz loses, his reputation will be further damaged. But Walz now has the opportunity to assume an “elder statesman role,” he said. He said Walz could become a potential cabinet secretary or ambassador if Democrats win the 2028 presidential race.
Larry Jacobs, a political scientist at the University of Minnesota, isn’t ready to dismiss Walz just yet. He said the governor is a “very talented politician who brings some unique skills to the Democratic Party.”
“When you exit like this, it’s easy to say ‘no future,’ because he went out in a bad mood and looked like he had his tail between his legs, but I think that’s probably short-sighted,” Jacobs said. “In a year or two, when things calm down a little bit, there may be an opportunity for him to run for U.S. Senate.”
But Jacobs is unsure whether Walz is likely to become Cabinet secretary.
“I don’t think his staying on the national stage as a vice presidential candidate has given him a lofty status,” Jacobs said. “People did think he was a bit out of place.”
Walz makes about $127,000 a year as governor, and his main assets are pensions and other retirement plans. one Wall Street Journal Analysis As of 2024, he and his wife have a net worth of $800,000. Forbes goes higher He is estimated to be worth a little more than $1 million, but he said he is the “least wealthy politician among the major party candidates” this election cycle.
“He needs work. Maybe he’ll find a new niche, maybe in the foundation world,” Jacobs said. “But I don’t think this is a guy who’s going to retire in the near future.”