Tim Walz Discusses Ambitions During Interview With Sean Rameswaram
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is keeping his options open for 2028, but if there was one thing clear from his recent comments, it’s that he’s looking for fresh faces—and Kamala Harris isn’t one of them.
During a live recording of Vox’s Today, Explained podcast, Walz sidestepped questions about his preferred candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, instead expressing a preference for governors while notably leaving out Harris, despite having served as her running mate in 2024.
Asked directly whether he had a favorite for the next Democratic ticket, Walz responded, “No, not at this time… I’m partial to governors.” That’s a carefully chosen statement, especially given that Harris, as the former Vice President, is not a governor. It’s a subtle but telling omission, particularly as reports continue to swirl about Harris’s interest in a 2028 bid.
Walz also took time to reflect on his role in the failed 2024 campaign, acknowledging that he and the team misread the electorate. He admitted that some of their messaging didn’t land, saying, “I [was] drinking my own Kool-Aid… And that’s on me.”
Losing all seven swing states in 2024 was a brutal blow to the Democrats, and Walz’s comments highlight an ongoing struggle within the party to recalibrate after Donald Trump’s decisive victory.
Instead of making a move toward national politics right now, Walz is considering running for a third term as governor of Minnesota in 2026. While he hasn’t ruled out a future presidential bid, he told The New Yorker that he’d only run in 2028 if his “skill set” matched what the moment required.
However, Walz’s political brand is not without controversy. During his tenure as governor, he has pushed far-left policies, including signing a 2023 law requiring Minnesota schools to provide tampons in both girls’ and boys’ restrooms—a move that earned him the nickname “Tampon Tim” from critics, including Donald Trump.
His comments come at a time when the Democratic Party is struggling to define its future. Internal memos from party leaders, including Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, have warned that voters increasingly view the GOP as the party of the working class, while Democrats are seen as representing elites.
That kind of shift is exactly what Walz and others will have to contend with as they position themselves for 2028.