Kendall Qualls Comments on Walz’s Withdrawal
Kendall Qualls, a candidate for Minnesota governor and a U.S. Army veteran, made a lighthearted comparison between the U.S. detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Governor Tim Walz’s recent decision to drop out of the gubernatorial race.
“I’m not really sure who’s celebrating more—Minnesotans or Venezuelans. It feels like a bit of a competition,” Qualls joked during an appearance on “Fox & Friends First.”
Walz’s announcement came on Monday, after facing intense backlash regarding his management of a significant welfare fraud scandal in the state.
Allegations have surfaced against organizations, from daycare centers to nonprofits, claiming they exploited state policies, leading to an estimated $9 billion misappropriated from taxpayers.
In his remarks, Qualls described Walz’s two terms as disastrous. “Honestly, his time in office has been a complete failure,” he asserted.
“His first term was marked by the destruction in Minneapolis, which was once a shining gem among American cities, and now his second term is overshadowed by this fraud crisis. The state has seen a continuous economic decline over the last two decades, especially lately under his watch.”
Qualls argued that Minnesota ultimately leans toward centrism. He believes that individuals like him—outsiders who have military experience and have found success as business owners, hailing from backgrounds in Harlem and an Oklahoma trailer park—illustrate the quintessential American story.
“What I’ve taken away from this experience is that regardless of your starting point, this country offers avenues for change and growth,” he reflected.
Attempts to contact Walz’s office for further comments were unsuccessful.
