Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday introduced his plans to hunt reelection, launching a uncommon bid for a 3rd consecutive time period that will make historical past if he wins.
Walz, a Democrat, revealed his intention to run once more in a video posted on social media, touting coverage achievements in workplace and making an attraction for unity.
“We have made historic progress in our state, however we’re not completed but. I am staying within the battle,” the governor stated.
In his announcement video, Walz known as Minnesota “one of the best place on Earth with one of the best folks,” however acknowledged the state has “seen horrible occasions this 12 months.”
“I am heartbroken and offended in regards to the stunning folks we misplaced to gun violence,” Walz stated, referencing the high-profile political assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and the mass capturing at Annunciation Catholic Church late final month. “But it surely’s in these moments now we have to return collectively, as a result of I’ve seen what we will do once we work collectively.”
Walz stated within the video that, if reelected, his priorities would come with cracking down on fraud, making well being care extra reasonably priced, investing in public faculties and getting “severe about gun violence.”
The previous instructor and Congressman was elected governor in 2018 and gained reelection in 2022. In 2024, former Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her operating mate within the presidential election, which catapulted him to the nationwide stage.
After the loss to President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Walz returned to Minnesota to serve out the remaining two years of his time period. Earlier this 12 months, he went on a city corridor tour of GOP districts throughout the Midwest, prompting hypothesis a couple of future presidential run. In an interview with The New Yorker in March, Walz stated if the circumstances had been proper and he has the suitable “talent set” for the second, he would contemplate operating in 2028.
Since Mr. Trump took workplace, he and Walz have continued the clashes begun throughout election season. In his announcement video, Walz stated he’ll “by no means cease combating to guard us from the chaos, corruption and cruelty popping out of Washington.”
Throughout his gubernatorial tenure, Walz and Democratic lawmakers authorized a number of progressive victories, together with common free faculty meals, the legalization of leisure marijuana, codified abortion rights and extra.
Polling suggests Walz faces some political headwinds heading into his reelection marketing campaign. A Star Tribune Minnesota ballot in June discovered that half of Minnesotans didn’t need Walz to hunt a 3rd time period. A majority of independents disapprove of his efficiency, in addition to voters who reside outdoors of Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
And his time in workplace hasn’t been with out controversy. After authorities introduced expenses within the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud case — the most important COVID-19 fraud case within the nation — Walz confronted scrutiny for a way his administration dealt with it and Republicans blamed him for letting it occur underneath his watch. The scandal prompted a renewed concentrate on fraud and governmental oversight in the newest legislative session, which included some adjustments, although plans for a brand new state watchdog company didn’t go.
Since Feeding Our Future, there have been further investigations into fraud in state applications, together with alleged bogus claims billed at autism facilities and for housing companies. Fraud in state authorities is already changing into a centerpiece to Republicans’ marketing campaign in opposition to him.
Walz’s 2022 challenger Scott Jensen is operating once more for the Republican nomination. State Rep. Kristin Robbins, who chairs the brand new Home fraud-focused committee, and businessman Kendall Qualls have additionally launched campaigns.
Walz defeated Jensen in 2022 by eight proportion factors.
In its 167 years as a state, Minnesota has by no means elected a governor for 3 consecutive four-year phrases, in keeping with the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Rudy Perpich served three non-consecutive phrases and is the state’s longest serving governor.
Earlier than his reelection, Walz led the state by means of the COVID-19 pandemic, the police homicide of George Floyd and the unrest that adopted.
Walz and state lawmakers this 12 months achieved what he known as “essentially the most spectacular achievement” of his profession, wrapping up a contentious price range settlement throughout a particular session of essentially the most intently divided Legislature in Minnesota historical past. The work to finalize the $66 billion biennial price range staved off a authorities shutdown and made important headway right into a projected $6 billion deficit in future years.
“That is why I bought into this enterprise, to try to make a distinction, work collectively, compromise, discover frequent floor,” Walz stated of the settlement. “The dedication to creating democracy work was as robust as I’ve seen.”
Walz’s get together made key concessions to get the deal throughout the end line, together with eradicating grownup undocumented immigrants from the state’s well being care program.
