On Monday, Jan. 5, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he was abandoning his bid for re-election to a third term as the state’s leader.
“Running for a third term as Governor was basically unheard of in Minnesota politics. So, the combination of him announcing a third term and then abruptly ending that campaign was really unexpected,” said Bea Culligan ’26, CarlDems President.
“My initial reaction, I think, was sadness, not necessarily at the fact that he wasn’t running, but more so at the kind of state of politics today,” said Minneapolis native Ruby Mathiason ’29.
“I think the decision to stand down not to run again is clearly motivated by the desire not to be a liability for the Democratic Farmer Labor party in the upcoming elections,” said Paul Petzschmann, a professor of Political Science and International Relations at Carleton.
Minnesota has recently come under fire for a growing scandal over fraud in its social services program. Coupled with increased tensions with the federal government and the presence of ICE in the state, Walz cited a desire to focus more on these issues as a reason for ending his campaign.
“[Federal government statements were] specifically targeting the Somali population, who, from what I’ve read, didn’t seem to at all play a large [role] as an entire population. So I think I was more concerned about that than Walz in particular,” Minnesotan Zoe Roettger ’27 said.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Walz and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, Minnesota’s equivalent of the Democratic Party, have controlled the state’s legislative bodies and enacted legislation and programs, leading to increased spending.
“And all of [the scandals under Walz], I think, go back to how, in politics, there is the danger of winning yourself to death,” said Petzschmann. “With the Democrats having been in power for so long, I think, of necessity, one-party government will produce corruption eventually. And if there’s also a lot of money involved, which is being spent very rapidly without the creation of the necessary oversight mechanisms, that is bound to happen to lead to corruption somewhere, and that is always something that your political enemies will be able to capitalize on.”
“I think that as if you are in power, you always bear some responsibility for what happens in your state, [but] this particular example being highlighted at this moment does feel a bit targeted,” Roettger said.
Issues of constituent safety and personal attacks also shaped Walz’s choice.
“My mind, as a progressive Minnesotan, immediately went to [it being] more like a safety issue with these personal, like ruthless attacks. Even though I was kind of disappointed, I was more so just sad that this is where we’re at and that he felt like he wasn’t going to be able to lead safely,” Mathiason said.
“I think part of the reason why he withdrew was also the personal attacks on him and his family. […] It was like the glare of the national spotlight, I think he wasn’t ready for it,” said Petzschmann. “I think he underestimated how personal some of these attacks can get.”
Students and faculty also considered predictions of a post-Walz Minnesota, as well as what Walz’s next role may be.
“There is a lot of speculation about who will run in Walz’s place, but that is still very much uncertain,” said Culligan.
“I think my opinion of Walz’s [decision] does kind of hinge on the possibility of [Senator] Amy Klobuchar running. I think if she doesn’t run, then I would be much more concerned,” said Mathiason. “Even though she’s a DFLer, she’s well-liked among moderates. She’s not too left-leaning for more rural people.”
“I don’t think he made the ticket stronger,” Petzschmann said, referencing Walz’s 2024 run for Vice President. “[The hope was that Walz] could be a broader appeal to the kind of middle-of-the-road, kind of moderate voters in the center part of the nation.”
“I don’t see him going for some kind of high national office under a possible future Democratic administration,” said Petzschmann.
As Walz’s eight-year tenure approaches its end, Minnesotans reflect on his years as governor.
“I think he made me feel like our state was protected, and the promises that he made, I felt like were good,” said Mathiason. “And I thought that he projected kindness to me. And I think that’s a very Minnesotan value. So I think I felt very safe with him as governor.”
“I have thought of him in a very positive light and will likely continue to do so,” said Roettger. “I think what Tim Walz has done for Minnesota to me has seemed like a very positive impact; he seems to care about all Minnesotans. And that is probably how I would continue to see things in the foreseeable future.”
