OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Since Election Day, when Republican Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, decisively defeated him and Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has not conducted any one-on-one interviews.
But he offered a glimpse into his thoughts following the loss during a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol, where he celebrated the state’s turkey industry in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday, KSTP.com reported on Tuesday.
“No regrets,” he said in response to a reporter’s question. “I regret few things in life other than I didn’t get a dog sooner. That’s my biggest regret. But no, I’m proud to have been part of that [campaign]. I think we put a message out that 75 million liked, but not quite enough.”
The Harris-Walz ticket lost all seven key battleground states, along with the national popular vote. While Governor Tim Walz was optimistic heading into Election Day, he remains realistic about the outcome. He finds some solace in the fact that the campaign gave him the chance to highlight Minnesota on a national stage.
“To be honest, glad to tell Minnesota’s story,” he said. “That we get things done together and (showed) we’re pretty hopeful people.”
The outlet emphasized that the upcoming legislative session, where Democrats and Republicans will share power for the first time since 2021, will test Walz’s optimism. He stated that the release of the state budget forecast next week will shed light on the extent of their collaboration and the available funding.
“I think at this time we’re waiting to see (how) the forecast comes in,” he said. “We will get an opportunity then to see what the incoming (Trump) administration will do in mid-January and then we will get the opportunity to put out our budget and then a revised budget when the February numbers actually come in.”
He added that he’s concerned about a potential trade war that could impact Minnesota’s agricultural industry, KSTP.com added.
Walz also addressed supporters in a recent video:
Tim Walz says that Trump’s win is “a bit scary” and tells supporters to “take time to heal” before getting back in the fight. pic.twitter.com/fIK1A59n2D
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 27, 2024
Harris allegedly told associates this week she was “staying in the fight” and considering a 2028 presidential campaign or a California gubernatorial run in 2026, prompting Democratic strategist Theryn Bond to urge Harris not to run for president again.
During an interview on Newsmax’s National Report, Bond said “please don’t” when asked if Harris should run for president again in 2028.
Host Emma Rechenberg asked: “The Vice president has been instructing advisers and allies to keep her options open. That could be a possible 2028 presidential run or even a run for governor in her home state of California in two years. Harris has reportedly repeating in phone calls, quote, ‘I’m staying in the fight.’ Let’s talk about it now with our political panelists. Theryn Bond joins us now, a Democratic strategist and Luke Ball is a Republican strategist. So two different perspectives here. Is this a good idea for VP Harris to continue her political ambitions?”
“Not to run for president again in 2028, please don’t. I can’t really speak for governor of California. Californians seem to support her significantly. We haven’t yet been able to measure what that support looks like after this current run she just had. That may be the only thing that she — I guess, may make sense for her to consider. But another shot at the presidency, I hope she doesn’t. And if she is relying on those same advisers that advised her this cycle, that’s not who I would listen to,” Bond responded.
