Fresh off his 2024 election loss, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz already has his eyes set on a 2028 presidential run despite failing to deliver his own county for the Democrats.
At a Glance
- Tim Walz is considering a 2028 presidential run despite his recent defeat as Kamala Harris’s running mate
- Walz failed to win his home county in Minnesota and performed poorly in his debate against JD Vance
- He has ruled out running for Senate in 2026 but hasn’t decided on seeking a third term as Minnesota governor
- If re-elected and serving through 2031, Walz would become Minnesota’s longest-serving governor
Failed Vice Presidential Candidate Already Planning Next Move
The dust has barely settled on the 2024 election defeat, but Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is already plotting his political future with a potential 2028 presidential run. Despite failing to boost the Democratic ticket as Kamala Harris’s running mate and losing his home county in Minnesota, Walz seems undeterred by the rejection from voters. The former Congressman who couldn’t deliver electoral success when it mattered most is now suggesting he might be the right person to lead the country in four years, showing the remarkable level of self-confidence that seems to be a prerequisite for today’s political class.
Tim Walz says he may run for president in 2028 — despite failure of Harris campaign: ‘Do whatever it takes’ https://t.co/TivIXYmyQH pic.twitter.com/hfF1c1Vgrr
— New York Post (@nypost) March 3, 2025
Walz made his presidential ambitions clear in recent statements to the media, though he attempted to couch them in false humility. Despite the electoral rebuke, he appears ready to subject Americans to another campaign if he decides the timing is right. This comes after a vice presidential debate performance against JD Vance that many observers considered disastrous, raising questions about whether voters who rejected him once would be eager to see him on the ballot again.
A Career Politician’s Next Steps
While openly contemplating a presidential run, Walz has ruled out running for the U.S. Senate in 2026, apparently finding the idea of being one voice among 100 senators less appealing than his current executive position. He has not yet decided whether to seek a third term as Minnesota’s governor, a position that would make him the state’s longest-serving governor if he were to complete another term through 2031. This calculation seems to be less about serving Minnesotans and more about positioning himself for the national stage.
The governor’s claim that he “never had an ambition to be president or vice president” rings hollow as he simultaneously maps out a path to the White House. His willingness to run again after voters have already assessed and rejected him highlights the disconnect between political ambitions and public sentiment. Meanwhile, Minnesotans might wonder whether their governor is fully focused on state issues or simply using his current office as a stepping stone.
Playing the Victim Card After Defeat
Rather than taking responsibility for the Democratic ticket’s failure in 2024, Walz has chosen to frame himself as concerned primarily about policy outcomes. He laments potential Medicaid cuts and claims to worry about various social issues, conveniently overlooking the voters’ rejection of his and Harris’s platform. This victim mentality appears designed to position him as a champion of progressive causes for a future campaign rather than acknowledging the electoral message sent by Americans.
Walz’s premature presidential posturing represents everything many Americans have grown tired of in politics – career politicians who view each position as merely a rung on the ladder to higher office. After failing to convince voters nationally and even in his own backyard, the governor’s apparent belief that he deserves another shot at the presidency demonstrates a remarkable tone-deafness to the political reality. As he contemplates his future, one wonders if Walz might better serve his constituents by focusing on governance rather than campaign planning.
