Tim Walz loses election, heads home to Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — Tim Walz’s short-lived time on the national stage has come to an anti-climatic end.

“To Governor Walz and the Walz family: I know your service to our nation will continue,” Vice President Kamala Harris said during her concession speech Wednesday in Washington, D.C. A visibly emotional Walz clapped and waved to his running mate.

Instead of heading to the nation’s capital, the Minnesota governor will go home to St. Paul, where he still has a job to do for another two years in his second term and where his backyard’s political landscape appears to be tilting a slight bit toward Republicans. The 60-year-old former vice presidential nominee is returning to a state where his party previously had control over all the key levers of power but may end up losing some of that sway depending on this year’s election results that are still being counted.

Walz’s three months since being tapped as Harris’s running mate were marked by both highs and lows. The former high school assistant football coach got a primetime speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and hit the campaign trail alongside the likes of former President Barack Obama and singer Jon Bon Jovi.

He also had a series of unforgettable and inescapable gaffes, like saying he was friends with schools shooters during the VP debate and exaggerating his time in China. He also struggled to separate himself from his increasingly liberal record in the North Star State in an attempt to appeal to middle America, blue-collar voters for Harris.

Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team.

Harris’ campaign had a plan for their VP pick, who was chosen in the whirlwind moments after Harris replaced President Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket and not long after he started publicly calling Donald Trump “weird” in viral videos and on social media.

A veteran, the Democrats deployed Walz to farms, schools, and abortion clinics, where he touted his record as a teacher and card-carrying union member with Nebraskan farm roots and a record of protecting reproductive rights. He also took an alternate approach to playing the role of vice-presidential candidate attack dog with his own version of a mild-mannered, joyful warrior.

But Harris went against the conventional wisdom that she needed a moderate, swing state leader as a running mate to get her to 270 Electoral College votes − rather than a liberal from a state that was all but certain in 2024 to vote for the Democratic presidential ticket like it ultimately did.

To many political observers’ surprise, Harris picked Walz over a number of other high-profile politicians who were deemed crucial to winning battlegrounds, such as Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The commonwealth’s crucial 19 electoral votes went to Trump and aided in the Democratic ticket’s demise by blocking their path to winning the blue wall Midwestern trio that included Wisconsin and Michigan − and subsequently, the presidency. Arizona’s 11 electoral votes also appear like they’ll go to Trump.

Walz, a largely unknown figure, quickly rose to a level of internet fame for his unique take on progressive masculinity and his dad-next-door Midwestern appeal. His name recognition remained the lowest amongst the four major party candidates through his campaign, but his favorability of those who did know him remained the highest of them all.

His only debate with now Vice President-elect JD Vance last month was seen by some as a let down from the well-known debater Walz was known for in Minnesota, often stumbling in comparison to the refined, experienced lawyer.

Walz’s gubernatorial term in Minnesota runs until 2027, but it’s unclear if he will seek reelection for a third term. The state’s Democratic Party enjoyed control of both chambers of the legislature since 2022 and allowed Walz to pass sweeping progressive policies, but a close battle for the House could result in a tie, bringing an end to Walz’s party’s trifecta.

His lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, received national attention after Harris picked Walz when she stepped up in gubernatorial duties and, had Walz won, would’ve become the first Indigenous woman to serve in the high office.

— Sam Woodward is the Minnesota elections reporting fellow for USA TODAY. You can reach her atswoodward@gannett.com.