As Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is considered a possible vice presidential candidate for Kamala Harris on the 2024 Democratic ticket, some critics are highlighting his management of COVID-19 and the riots in Minneapolis and Kenosha in 2020 that affected urban areas in the state.
“[H]e has been disastrous for Minnesota and is undoubtedly the most partisan governor I can remember,” stated Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann to Fox News Digital. “Looking back at 2020, he failed to attempt to quell the riots in Minneapolis. I believe he feared upsetting his ‘progressive’ base, who were in support of the riots. Kamala Harris was even fundraising for the rioters.”
On the other hand, Democrats assert that Walz is a solid candidate — having been elected governor twice since 2018 and serving in Congress for a total of 12 years — in a key swing state that could aid Harris in the upcoming November election.
“Governor Walz has demonstrated strong leadership, being an excellent partner with the [l]egislature, and he would make a fantastic choice for Vice President,” Minnesota Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Over the past two years, we have collaborated on the most productive session in Minnesota for decades, enacting policies designed to assist Minnesotans in building better lives for themselves and their families.”
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks at a news conference related to the Biden-Harris campaign, discussing the Project 2025 plan during the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention near the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)
Hortman emphasized that “the past two years illustrate that Tim Walz excels at collaborating with strong women to achieve results.”
“I am excited about Kamala Harris’ candidacy and believe Governor Walz would greatly enhance the ticket,” the state representative stated.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is being considered as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris. (Montinique Monroe | Jim Vondruska)
Some critiques focus on Walz’s directive to mandate indoor masking during the pandemic, which was enforced in 2020 and ended in 2021. The Upper Midwest Law Center filed a lawsuit, deeming the mandate unconstitutional, but ultimately, an appellate court ruled in favor of Walz.
Additionally, Walz established a hotline for reporting residents who violated COVID-19 rules, as reported by FOX 9 Minneapolis at the time.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been elected governor twice since 2018 and has served in Congress for 12 years.
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Republican State Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka implored Walz to “please remove [the] Hotline” after it was created, referring to the action as “unnecessary.”
“We can all show a bit of compassion toward our neighbors as we navigate our needs during these stay-at-home orders,” the state senator remarked at that time.
Gazelka also criticized Walz’s delayed deployment of the National Guard to Minneapolis amid the riots that erupted following George Floyd’s murder in May 2020.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, left, engages with Blue Earth County Public Works Director Ryan Thilges. (Michael Goldberg/AP)
“After four days of rampant rioting, I reached out to the White House with the Governor stalled on a decision,” Gazelka expressed via X on Sunday. “I know that Governor Walz and President Trump spoke. I am aware that Walz finally activated the Guard for the next evening. However, he was three days too late. Pressure from others may have prompted that action.”
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Hann echoed similar sentiments, stating that Walz “waited for three days before he felt it was right to ask for the National Guard to be deployed.” He also pointed out the origins of the “defund” police movement tracing back to Minnesota after Floyd’s death and the subsequent rioting in the Twin Cities and Kenosha.
“He showed a significant lack of leadership in addressing the riots that caused extensive damage, and the repercussions are still detrimental to the quality of life and the business environment in Minneapolis.”
A protester stands next to a burning vehicle holding a sign supporting the Black Lives Matter movement on May 28, 2020, during the third day of protests over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. (Anadolu Agency / Getty Contributor)
The delay in action resulted in significant devastation to hundreds of businesses throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul, which sought assistance from local governments for recovery, in addition to suffering losses due to pandemic-related restrictions.
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Charlie Stotts and his wife Kacey White, owners of Town Talk Diner on Lake Street in Minneapolis, witness water pouring out of the restaurant on May 28, 2020. (Andy Rathbun/MediaNews Group / St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images)
Nevertheless, Republican criticisms did not cease after the conclusion of COVID-19 in 2021.
In March, after Walz’s State of the State address, he referred to Minnesota as the “best state in the nation for a child to grow up.” He outlined his objectives for enhancing school funding, aiming for “100%” clean energy by 2040, safeguarding abortion rights, and ensuring the protection of LGBTQ minors, as reported by The Pioneer Press.
House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth responded by highlighting the challenges currently facing Minnesota under Walz’s governance, particularly mentioning an almost $18 billion surplus in Walz’s $72 billion budget, which was initially intended to be returned to taxpayers but was allocated to other state projects instead.
“We have expanded government in an unsustainable manner.”
“When there is tax relief for families, as commendable as that may seem, we should recognize that if Minnesota wasn’t so costly to reside in,” Demuth explained in March. “Additionally, that $18 billion surplus is depleting, and taxes and fees — encompassing our state budget — surged by an additional $10 billion. We have grown government in ways that are not sustainable.”
Officers from Kenosha County Sheriff and police, clad in riot gear, create a barrier behind a burning truck during demonstrations against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 24, 2020. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Hann echoed similar concerns, criticizing the governor’s “poor management” of state finances.
“He has placed the state in a position of a structural deficit moving forward, due to spending initiatives that will greatly outstrip our financial capability. … His policies have been harmful to businesses.”
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Demuth also pointed out that children are achieving lower scores in statewide tests.
Furthermore, numerous critics of Walz’s administration have observed a rise in violent crime not only in the Twin Cities but throughout the state, beginning around 2020. While violent crime saw a slight decrease in 2023, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, it remains above pre-pandemic levels.
Walz’s office has not provided a comment in response to inquiries.
