Gov. Tim Walz made his first official appearance in Minnesota since he lost his bid for vice president on Tuesday, and in a pep-rally-like speech, said he’s going to try to keep an open mind to people who disagree with him politically — a nod to the reality that the Democratic trifecta is gone and the governor will again have to navigate a split Legislature.
During a 20-minute speech at Eagan High School on Friday, Walz — reading off a teleprompter — touted Minnesota’s progressive agenda, similar to the way he’s been a cheerleader for Minnesota in the three months he’s been campaigning with Vice President Kamala Harris.
He said while campaigning across the country, he learned the policies that Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor trifecta passed in the last two years are widely popular: universal school meals, paid leave, abortion protections and expanding labor rights.
“The agenda we heard from the other side in this campaign was very different from the one we know is right for our state and our country,” Walz said. “We’re going to have to be ready to defend the progress that we made here in Minnesota … the moment they try to bring a hateful agenda in this state, I’m going to stand up … and fight for the way we do things here.”
Walz will now need to make decisions about his political future. He could run for Minnesota governor again in 2026 for an unprecedented third, four-year term, or he could try for a 2028 presidential run.
Walz is skilled at the retail campaigning that is a staple of early state presidential nominating contests. He’s a proven fundraiser with a newly fat Rolodex, and he has a long list of legislative victories that will excite the progressive base that tends to turn out in Democratic primaries.
“I love this state. I love this job, and I’m not done fighting for Minnesota, not by a long shot,” Walz said.
The governor didn’t take questions from the media on Friday, but is expected to do so in the coming days.
Walz didn’t appear downtrodden after being rejected on a national stage. Going forward, Walz said it’s time to listen to others and come to compromises.
“Nobody has a monopoly on good intentions or good ideas, and now that this election is behind us, I’m going to try even harder to keep an open mind, open heart, and really listen to folks who don’t support me or my policies,” Walz said. “To work with everyone in the Legislature, to seek compromise and common ground, because that’s how we come back together after such a long time spent fighting each other. That’s how we heal the rips in the fabric of our civic society.”
The Minnesota House is divided 67-67 between Republicans and Democrats after Republicans on Tuesday successfully flipped three DFL seats.
Walz’s speech consistently brought applause among those in attendance, including DFL legislators, Attorney General Keith Ellison, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and DFL Party Chair Ken Martin.