Walz resumes his position because the governor, pledges to defend his state from the incoming Trump administration’s insurance policies.
Tim Walz, former Democratic vice presidential nominee, returned to his job as Minnesota governor on Friday, after an election loss to President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.
After three months below the nationwide highlight in a contentious presidential election, the Democratic governor nonetheless has two years left in his present time period.
Walz advised supporters in a speech on Nov. 8 that it’s “arduous to lose” and acknowledged his supporters could also be apprehensive concerning the subsequent 4 years below a Trump presidency.
The governor mentioned he is able to defend the progress made in Minnesota.
“The opposite facet spent plenty of time campaigning and speaking about and promising that they would depart issues as much as the states,” Walz mentioned.
“Properly, I’m keen to take them at their phrase for that. However the second they attempt to carry a hateful agenda to this state, I’m going to be able to battle for the way in which they do issues right here.”
So long as he’s governor, Walz mentioned, he’ll defend a “lady’s proper to make her personal well being care choices” and “welcome immigrants with gratitude” for his or her contributions to native communities, fight local weather points, and maintain Minnesota “a labor state.”
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed the feelings when she conceded to Trump earlier this week.
“Whereas I concede this election, I don’t concede the battle that fuels this marketing campaign,” Harris mentioned throughout her concession speech on Nov. 6. “This isn’t a time to throw up our palms, that is time to roll up our sleeves.”
Walz additionally pledged to “swallow a bit of little bit of delight” and discover widespread floor with the opposing facet.
“And now that this election is behind us, I’m going to attempt to maintain an open thoughts, open coronary heart, and actually hearken to of us who don’t help me or my insurance policies, to work with everybody within the legislature to hunt compromising widespread floor.”
Walz, a former highschool assistant soccer coach, was largely unknown on the nationwide stage till he was tapped to serve alongside Harris on the 2024 Democratic ticket.
Minnesotans voted for Harris-Walz within the 2024 race, marking the thirteenth consecutive presidential election the state has supported a Democrat. Harris beat Trump 50.88 p.c to 46.66 p.c within the state.
Because the vice presidential nominee, Walz highlighted his midwestern roots and expertise as an educator.
Walz’s time period as governor runs till 2027. It stays unclear if he’ll search a 3rd time period.