Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Gov. Tim Walz will return to St. Paul after falling short of a bid for the vice presidency. 

With a win in Wisconsin, Donald Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to 

Walz is set to serve out the remaining two years of his term after spending months crisscrossing the country campaigning with his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Walz was added to her ticket in August and has spent most of his time on the road since then. He is midway through a second term, which he won in 2022.

Minnesotans Hubert H. Humphrey and Walter Mondale both held the title of vice president decades ago as part of Democratic administrations. Both went on to run for president and lost those races.

Walz gained unexpected national exposure when Harris opted for him over some better-known options. His folksy demeanor, rural upbringing and past service as a congressman from a conservative-leaning districts were assets.

But Walz also had to answer for problems with his record, both professionally and personally.

 time of mass protests and destruction after George Floyd’s murder in 2020

, the Feeding Our Future nutrition aid fraud during COVID-19 and a litany of liberal policies enacted on his watch came under scrutiny.

imprecise language he used about the infertility treatments used to start a family

inconsistencies about trips he took and led to China as a school teacher

The entire experience was at times surreal for the former teacher and coach.

“What an incredible journey I’ve been on,” Walz marveled on his closing campaign swing through Wisconsin, describing to a rally crowd how he missed the phone call from Harris to offer him a spot as her running mate. “I get a call — the first one — I don’t pick. That's my pro tip for all of you: If you're getting an important call, don't screen it, pick it up.” 

Dana Ferguson

Author

Walz is set to serve out the remaining two years of his term after spending months crisscrossing the country campaigning with his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris.


MPR News politics correspondent Mark Zdechlik shares covering Tim Walz through his travels through Election Day on Morning Edition.

Trump’s win blocks Tim Walz from becoming third Minnesotan vice president

Go Deeper.

Like this?