Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is weighing a 2028 Presidential run despite facing mockery from conservatives over his failed 2024 Vice Presidential bid alongside Kamala Harris.
At a Glance
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has expressed openness to running for President in 2028
- Walz served as Kamala Harris’s running mate in their unsuccessful 2024 campaign
- Conservative critics have revived the nickname “Tampon Tim” over his school menstrual product policies
- The Governor maintains he has $1 million in campaign funds and is in the last two years of his second term
- Walz has ruled out running for the U.S. Senate but remains noncommittal about seeking a third term as Governor
Walz Signals Presidential Ambitions After VP Defeat
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has indicated he might pursue a Presidential run in 2028, just months after his failed Vice-Presidential bid on the Democratic ticket with Kamala Harris. The Harris-Walz ticket lost to President Donald Trump, who secured his second term in the November 2024 election. Republicans also regained control of the Senate, creating a challenging landscape for Democratic aspirations in the near future.
When asked about his Presidential ambitions, Walz offered a measured response while not closing the door on the possibility. His potential candidacy comes after his selection as Harris’s running mate, a choice that some Democratic strategists later questioned following their defeat. Political analysts noted that both Harris and Walz lost ground in their home states during the election, raising questions about their broader appeal to voters nationally.
Conservative Backlash and Mockery
Walz’s hints at a Presidential run have sparked immediate criticism and mockery from conservative circles. Critics have revived the nickname “Tampon Tim,” referencing his policies mandating menstrual products in Minnesota schools, including boys’ bathrooms. This policy became a lightning rod for conservative opposition during the 2024 campaign and continues to follow the Governor as he considers his political future.
Some conservatives have pointed to Harris’s decision to select Walz over other potential candidates like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a critical strategic error. The selection process and eventual defeat have cast a shadow over both Harris and Walz’s political futures, with Republicans using the failed campaign as ammunition against any future ambitions.
Walz’s Cautious Approach to His Political Future
Despite the criticism, Walz maintains he is open to higher office if circumstances align. The Governor has framed his potential candidacy in terms of service rather than personal ambition, emphasizing that his decision would depend on whether he believes he has the right skills to offer at the right time.
“If I think I could offer something … I would certainly consider that. I’m also, though, not arrogant enough to believe there’s a lot of people that can do this,” he said.
Currently serving in the last two years of his second term as Governor with approximately $1 million in his campaign treasury, Walz has ruled out running for the U.S. Senate seat to replace Sen. Tina Smith. He remains noncommittal about pursuing a third term as Governor, stating his decision would depend on approval ratings and public support. The Governor served 12 years as a U.S. Representative before winning the Governorship in 2018, giving him substantial political experience to draw upon for any future campaigns.
