Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz lamented his loss in the 2024 election for the first time in a series of interviews with local media this week, admitting that Democrats were “a little surprised” that he and Vice President Kamala Harris lost. .
“At the rallies, everywhere we went, in the stores we were in, we felt like the momentum was going our way, but clearly it wasn't over.” Walz told KSTP..
“Well, I was kind of surprised. I thought we had a positive message and I thought this country was ready for that.”
Minnesota's assessment contrasts with that of several Harris campaign aides, who said in an interview with Pod Save America that internal polling shows her trailing Donald Trump. He revealed that he had never been shown anything before the former president.
Walz, 60, also criticized some Democrats for choosing him as Harris' running mate instead of a rising star in the party like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. He also mentioned that his popularity may have helped him win tickets in battleground states.
When asked by KSTP whether it helped or hurt Harris' ticket, he said, “History will write it that way.”
“It wasn't my decision. It was the vice president's decision,” he continued. “As I said in this campaign, when we asked the question, ‘Would there have been something we could have done differently?’ we lost, so the answer is clearly yes. I did the best I could.”
Walz did not say exactly what he plans to do at the end of his second term in Minnesota, including whether he would run for governor for a third time in the state, which has no term limits.
“I think it's a little premature to say that,” Walz said. told Fox 9. “We're focused on the upcoming legislative session. We'll continue to work on it and then decide from there.”
He added on KSTP: If they want to see us run again we'll talk to people, but for now we're just thinking about getting through the session. ”
Walz told the outlet he had never had a desire to run for the U.S. Senate.
He also reflected on how he thinks Democrats will have to do things differently to win back the White House and seats in the House and Senate after such a big Republican victory.
“I think what we have to understand is the atmosphere that people are in and what kind of situation they are in.” Walz told WCCO.. “I think economic issues affected them.”
“I think we need to understand what type of leadership they want,” he asked.
“We promised to be inclusive. We promised to bring people in. Donald Trump has said that's not what he wants. So if America If they're leaning towards that, I think for me it's about understanding America and learning more about it, because I thought they were. Maybe it would move towards a more positive message.” he added.
Mr. Walz, who disappeared from the national stage almost immediately after his harsh attack on the Nov. 5 election, drove his “little 22-year-old E-series BMW” in a frigid Minnesota garage Thursday night. I posted a strange video of me tinkering with it.
“It's just a small, small car,” the governor said without emotion. “We're going to replace the switch here. … They just don't work anymore and we couldn't pull them up.”
He also boasted about replacing his car radio with an auxiliary cable input to play music from his iPhone.
“So you can take this $5,000 classic with you on the go, listen to some good music, and roll up and down the windows,” he added. “That's fine.”
Critics say that in the heat of the 2024 race, the so-called “snobby” governor, despite professing to be a firearms enthusiast, is not even willing to load his own shotgun while pheasant hunting. He pointed out that it was difficult.
