Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who recently returned from the campaign trail, finds himself at the helm of a divided state legislature.
The public opinion of the former vice presidential Democratic nominee is equally polarized within the state.
In 2024, Walz amassed over $1 million in campaign funds, as revealed by year-end campaign finance reports. The majority of this sum was raised prior to his joining Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential ticket. During the campaign, Walz, a governor from a traditionally Democratic state, proudly displayed his middle-class status and affinity for camouflage hats.
Although Walz has not officially declared his intention to run for a third term as governor, he has indicated that a decision will likely be made this summer. In the interim, according to his spokesperson, Walz is concentrating on leading a divided state legislature.
"Regardless of the chaos unfolding in Washington, D.C., Governor Walz will continue working with Republicans and Democrats at the State Capitol to balance the budget and make Minnesota the best state to live, work, and raise a family," the spokesperson stated.
However, despite Walz's commitment to bipartisan cooperation, the Minnesota state house has been at an impasse for weeks. Republicans have proposed a recall of their Democratic counterparts, accusing them of failing to fulfill their legislative duties.
According to Fox News, Republican state Senator Mark Koran said, "They technically had the organizational majority to kick off on Jan. 14 when we began our legislative session. The Democrats refused to. They held a special swearing-in ceremony in secret for their 66 members, and then they've refused for over three weeks now to show up to the Minnesota House to organize, so they can do business."
Koran criticized Walz for his lack of presence and leadership, stating, "He is nonexistent as far as the Democrats holding this hostage. He's not taking a leadership role. I can tell you about the only thing he does in a bipartisan manner is he doesn't work with Republicans or Democrats, and so he's very isolated and doesn't meet with anybody."
In response to the legislative boycott by Minnesota Democrats, Walz defended their actions during an interview with FOX 9 KMSP. He criticized DOGE's ongoing federal layoffs, stating, "We are not going to allow you to do what were seeing at the federal level. You are not going to go in and fire state employees. You are not going to take power in a short-term window of gap. Thats not what the voters voted for."
However, Minnesota Republicans argue that Walz's reputation has been tarnished by controversies during his campaign. These include allegations of "stolen valor" due to inconsistencies in his descriptions of his military service, a claim that he "misspoke" about visiting Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, and a fabricated story about his family's in vitro fertilization experience. Walz dismissed these controversies as minor errors, referring to himself as a "knucklehead."
Retired Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant John Nagel told Fox Digital, "The average Minnesotans didn't really know who Tim Walz was. With running for vice president, people suddenly realized this guy is not who so many of us thought he was. Hes not this happy grandpa teacher that wears plaid. He is an individual that wants to keep his power. He's lied to make himself look better."
Nagel added, "Walz's ego is bruised. He is not happy that he's not walking around as vice president."
Both Nagel and Koran believe that the national coverage during the presidential campaign has caused Minnesotans to reconsider their support for Walz.
Koran stated, "I think Minnesotans should reject his political agenda, just as the nation did. He came back extraordinarily damaged. The Democrats are going to take him out within his own party, likely in the next gubernatorial primary. There's a Senate seat open in Minnesota. He wants the national spotlight. At the end of the day, if he has nothing else, I think he'll be running for governor again."
In contrast, newly elected DNC Chair Ken Martin, former chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, defended Walz. He stated that despite Republican attempts to undermine the governor, Walz has retained the trust of Minnesota voters by implementing key progressive policies.
"Partisan Republicans have tried to tear down Governor Walz, but the support and trust that he has earned from Minnesotans has endured," Martin said. "From free school meals to paid family leave, the working-class agenda that Governor Walz and DFL leaders have championed enjoys strong support from a clear majority of Minnesotans. Our party is ready to fight with Governor Walz to lower costs while protecting critical investments in our schools and the programs that support working families."
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