Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has broken his silence following Vice President Kamala Harris’ crushing defeat in the 2024 presidential election.

In interviews with local Minneapolis TV stations, Walz candidly discussed the campaign, his role as Harris’ running mate, and what lies ahead for both himself and his state, as reported by The Daily Mail.

Walz admitted he was surprised by the loss to President-elect Donald Trump, who managed to sweep all seven battleground states, defying Democratic hopes.

“It felt like at the rallies, at the things I was going to, at the shops I was going in, that the momentum was going our way,” Walz told KSTP 5 Eyewitness News. “It obviously wasn’t at the end of time, so yeah, I was a little surprised.”

The governor stood by the message he and Harris championed during the campaign. “I thought we had a positive message, and I thought the country was ready for that,” he said. Despite the defeat, Walz described the experience as a privilege, saying he saw much of the country while serving at Harris’ request.

As Democrats analyze what went wrong, Walz brushed off speculation about whether his presence on the ticket helped or hurt the campaign.

“History will write that. It wasn’t my decision to make. That was the vice president’s decision,” he said. “When you ask the question, ‘Are there things you could have done differently?’ Since we lost, the answer is obviously yes.”

Speaking to FOX 9, Walz reflected further on the campaign, emphasizing his pride in the effort. “I didn’t try to get that job. I am proud of what I did. I think we worked hard. I think we made an impact,” he said. One lesson he took from the experience? The importance of listening more.

Walz also addressed the growing perception of Democrats as the “party of the elite” and the electorate’s shift to the right.

He acknowledged the complexity of the situation but admitted there are gaps in the party’s communication strategy. “Are we communicating? I think we’re communicating the right way, but are we communicating in the right spaces? Are we communicating to where people are at and where they’re listening to?”

Back in Minnesota, Walz faces fresh challenges. His governorship, which began in 2019, now demands navigating a divided state budget and mending relationships after a bruising campaign. He acknowledged the toll of the national spotlight and the campaign’s ugliness.

“Our politics have gotten really difficult. A presidential campaign is brutal, and this one was particularly ugly,” he remarked.

Tim Walz just did his first interview with Minnesota media since the presidential campaign ended. Notable quotes:

“Are there things you could’ve done differently? Since we lost, the answer is obviously yes. On this one, I did the best I could.”

“I was a little surprised [we… pic.twitter.com/CPnAbhwqsE

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 6, 2024

As for his future, Walz said he hasn’t decided whether he will seek reelection as governor or pursue a Senate run. “It depends on if people of Minnesota want that,” he said, adding that a Senate bid has “never been a goal” of his.

Despite the setbacks, Walz remains focused on his gubernatorial responsibilities. “Things are pretty good in Minnesota,” he concluded, expressing optimism for the future.

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