Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Open to Vice Presidential Bid After Biden’s Announcement

The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, has expressed his openness to a possible vice presidential bid following President Joe Biden‘s announcement that he will not seek reelection.

In an interview with MPR News, Walz mentioned that he spoke with Vice President Kamala Harris the night before her announcement that she would pursue the Democratic nomination for president. Many party members, including Walz, are rallying around Harris as the leading candidate.

Walz stated that he would seriously consider joining the ticket if Harris were to ask for his support. He commented, “She mentioned that she would need my help. And I told her she has it in whatever way she deems appropriate.”

While Walz enjoys his role as governor, he is willing to take on the vice presidential role if he believes he could add value to the Democratic campaign. “When I travel, many states like what we do here, and I think the idea that we could do the same in other places would be great,” he said.

As the presidential race heats up, Democrats must first choose a new candidate, placing Walz and other Minnesota Democrats in a significant role for organizing the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

Walz, along with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota’s Congressional delegation, has voiced support for Harris, which is echoed by most party delegates in the state.

As a co-chair of the convention’s rules committee, Walz will have a key role in shaping the nomination process. He will participate in discussions regarding how the voting will proceed, including whether delegates will vote remotely before the convention begins.

Walz, a two-term Democratic governor with a track record of progressive victories, could enhance a candidacy with his Midwestern influence and experience as a former school teacher. He has also served in the National Guard and held a congressional seat representing southern Minnesota before assuming the governorship in 2018.

James Barone, a Democratic delegate from Minnesota, argued that Walz’s background makes him exceptionally qualified for higher office. “Being a sergeant major in the National Guard comes with challenges. Serving in Congress for twelve years is tough, and so is being governor. But there’s no more significant challenge than overseeing a cafeteria at a high school in Mankato, Minnesota,” Barone remarked.

Walz has gained prominence on the national Democratic stage by leading the Democratic Governors Association and serving as co-chair on Biden’s Governors Council.

Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic Party, expressed his expectations for Walz and potentially others to be considered. “I wouldn’t be surprised, and I certainly hope some of these individuals will be on the candidate list, like Governor Walz or Senator Klobuchar, public servants with impressive records in our state and nationwide,” he said.

Adding a touch of humor, Walz noted that his mention as a potential vice presidential candidate is a “testament to Minnesota. We are the land of vice presidents,” referencing past figures like Hubert H. Humphrey and Walter Mondale.

Despite his appeal as a Midwestern candidate, Walz faces challenges, including civil unrest in the state following George Floyd‘s death and scrutiny over perceived lapses in oversight during pandemic-related food programs. Audit reports suggest issues within the state’s Department of Education’s supervision practices.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, who also supports Harris, clarified her intentions, stating, “I am running for the U.S. Senate. And Minnesota law says you cannot do both things at the same time. So, I’m focused on my Senate candidacy. There are many good qualified people out there.”

Other names being discussed include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, North Carolina’s outgoing Governor Roy Cooper, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.

Ken Martin emphasized the importance of quickly uniting around a presidential candidate as time is of the essence. “We don’t have as much time as we would like to conduct this process,” he noted, referring to the urgency of preparing to face Republican challengers like Donald Trump and JD Vance.