governor of minnesota Tim WaltzThe Democratic 2024 vice presidential nominee is ending his bid for a third term as governor as President Donald Trump continues to focus on fraud investigations. childcare plan in the state.
Less than four months after the announcement his re-election campaignWalz said Monday that negative attention and Republican attacks have led to “an extraordinarily difficult year for our state,” making it impossible for him to serve as governor full-time while also becoming a candidate to retain his office.
“Every minute I spend defending my political interests is not a minute I can spend protecting Minnesotans from criminals who take advantage of our generosity and cynics who want to exploit our divisions,” Walz said at the state Capitol. “So I have decided to withdraw from this race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work ahead of me next year.”
Walz took no questions from reporters for about seven minutes of his speech, much of which involved repeating his earlier written statement announcing his decision.
“Donald Trump and his allies in Washington, St. Paul and online want to make our state colder and meaner,” Walz said, referring to the Trump administration’s withholding of funding for these programs and the president’s plans. Attacks on Somali immigrants in Minnesota. “They want to poison our people by attacking our neighbors. Ultimately, they want to take away much of what makes Minnesota the best place in America to raise a family.”
Walz did not explicitly acknowledge the impact of the viral video, which came from a right-wing influencer, despite the opaque reference. Claims he uncovered rampant fraud A day care center run by Somali residents in Minneapolis. But the Trump administration cited the video in its decision to cut off certain federal funding streams, and the video’s creator, Nick Shirley, was happy to take credit for the governor’s decision.
“I’m done with Tim Walz,” Shirley posted on social media on Monday.
Walz’s withdrawal has disrupted the race in the Democratic-leaning state, which Republicans insist they can win. Currently, Democrats hold 24 of the country’s 50 gubernatorial seats, with 36 seats up for vote in 2026, including Minnesota.
Candidates to succeed Walz
Democratic Senator. Amy Klobuchar She is considering a run in Minnesota, according to a person close to her. The senator, who is running for president in 2020, has not yet made a final decision, said the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.
About a dozen Republicans have entered the race. They include MyPillow founder and CEO Mike LindellAn election denier with close ties to Trump. which also includes minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuthcold spring; Dr. Scott Jensena former state senator from Chaska and the party’s 2022 candidate; state Rep. Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove; defense attorney and former federal prosecutor Chris Mader; former executive Kendall Qualls; and former Minnesota Republican Party Chairman David Hann.
Walz, a military veteran, union supporter and former high school educator and coach, helped his state craft an ambitious Democratic agenda that included sweeping protections for abortion rights and generous aid to families.
Kamala Harris Choose Walz as running mate in 2024 presidential election his offensive line Criticisms of Trump and his running mate, then-Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance — “These people are so weird” — were widely circulated.
Walz has continued to build his national profile since losing to Harris last November. he is sharp critic Photos from Trump’s tour early caucuses and main status. In May, he appeal to democrats Taking on the Republican president in South Carolina, he said: “Maybe it’s time for us to be a little bit meaner.”
Walz’s statement drew partisan reactions
Reaction to Walz’s decision reflects the fierce partisanship that is sure to spill over into the campaign to choose his successor.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, who led the Minnesota Democratic Party when Walz was first elected governor in 2018, said Walz “entered public life for the right reasons and never lost sight of those reasons.” Martin added that Walz’s guiding principle “has always been to show up and do work that really makes their lives better.”
Klobuchar, posted on XHe praised Walz as a “true public servant” who made “tough decisions” but said nothing about his pending choice.
Another nationally recognized Minnesotan, Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, was more succinct, issuing a full statement: “Get rid of it.”
Andy Beshear, Kentucky’s second governor and chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, praised Walz as “a national leader in the fight for the middle class” and said his organization “remains very confident that Minnesotans will elect another strong Democratic governor this November.”
At the Republican Governors Association, spokeswoman Courtney Alexander blasted Walz for a “failure of leadership” and argued that the eventual Democratic nominee “will need to defend years of mismanagement and misaligned priorities.”
Walz insisted on his administration’s stewardship responsibilities.
“We should be worried about fraud in our state government,” he said, adding that “every taxpayer dollar wasted on fraud will not be tolerated.” But Walz said his administration has been working hard to address fraud and manage the state’s operations.
A look back at Walz’s time as governor
During his nearly two terms as governor, Walz led a deeply divided Legislature. During his first term, he served with a Democratic-led House and a Republican-controlled Senate that rejected his proposals to use higher taxes to increase funding for schools, health care and roads. But he helped broker a compromise.
He used his office’s emergency powers to close businesses and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting Republican boycott.
Republicans also criticized Walz for what they considered a slow response to the sometimes violent riots that followed. George Floyd was killedIn 2020, an unarmed black man was beaten by a white Minneapolis police officer. Walz pleaded for calm after Floyd’s death, but he also stood out as a white political leader who expressed sympathy for Black Americans and their experiences with police violence.
In his second term, Walz worked with the Democratic majorities in both chambers to chart a more liberal approach in state government, huge budget surplus. minnesota almost eliminates all State abortion restrictions enacted by Republicans in the past, Protected Gender Affirming Care Legalizing and decriminalizing trans youth Recreational Use of Marijuana. Walz and his fellow Democrats also instituted free school meals for all students and implemented a paid family and medical leave program on Jan. 1.
That record, coupled with Walz’s rural background and experience representing southern Minnesota in Congress, has brought him to Harris’ attention as she considers potential running mates in 2024 after replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic frontrunner. After a whirlwind searchshe chose Walz over other candidates, including Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Andy Beshear of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Walz has been warmly welcomed by Democratic voters but has received mixed reviews. lonely debate Against Vance.
Most recently, Walz faced setbacks in his efforts to enact new gun control measures after the mass shooting at Annunciation School in Minneapolis last August. Two children died and dozens were injured. He had hoped to convene a special session to consider a list of gun safety proposals.
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Burrow reported from Atlanta.