What’s next for Gov. Tim Walz after a failed vice presidential bid?

Almost 51% of Minnesota voters backed the Democratic ticket this year, while about 47% picked Trump and Vance. In the 2020 election, more than 52% of voters backed President Joe Biden and Harris, while roughly 45% voted for Trump and Mike Pence.

Speculation started early Wednesday on what contributed to Harris’ loss, including questions of whether Walz was the right running mate. Some pundits have suggested Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was a top contender for the role, might have been a stronger choice and given her a better chance at winning that state.

However, researchers and political scientists said a running mate’s influence on voters is generally minimal.

It’s unlikely Walz or Vance played a major role in the election outcome, said Christopher Devine, who co-authored the book, “Do Running Mates Matter?: The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections.” Instead, he emphasized broader factors at play, like President Joe Biden’s unpopularity and widespread pessimism about the economy.

“VP picks matter, but we should always think of these things as being on the margins,” said Devine, who is an associate professor of political science at University of Dayton. “And if someone is looking for someone or something to blame for Kamala Harris’ loss, I don’t think Tim Walz is the right person to focus on.”

It remains to be seen whether Walz will seek a third round as governor or look to another public office. Minnesota does not limit the number of terms a governor can serve.