Tim Walz delivered his first comments since his and Kamala Harris’ brutal defeat in the 2024 presidential election, vowing to jump back into the battle for Minnesota as Donald Trump prepares to take power.
The governor of Minnesota broke his silence with a speech in his home state, surrounded by supporters. His wife Gwen gave a tearful introduction before he took the stage.
“I don’t know about you, but I already have a week,” Walz began, joking.
Walz rose to international fame after Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate in August.
The 60-year-old started thanking her for her trust in him and for conducting the joyful campaign and her friendship.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen wave to supporters after their first remarks following the presidential election defeat
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The governor also thanked his Minnesota and campaign staff and all supporters who supported the Democratic ticket.
‘It’s hard to lose. It is difficult to understand that so many of our fellow citizens, people against whom we fought so long and hard, ultimately chose the other path. It is difficult to predict what that path will look like over the next four years,” he said.
Walz encouraged people to take time for themselves and their loved ones.
“Any time you’re ready to take that fight again, I’ll be right here ready to take the fight to you,” he vowed.
Walz said that despite the deep disappointment of the loss, he has never felt more inspired, motivated and “excited for what is possible in this country.”
He talked about how he has traveled all over the country in recent months and met Americans. His conclusion from the dazzling campaign is that people actually all want the same things in life. He talked about meaningful work, good schools, affordable healthcare and more.
“I think more than anything, and you saw it in a very profound way, that people want the freedom to live their lives the way they want to,” Walz said.
Governor Tim Walz with Vice President Kamala Harris at their first campaign event after naming him her running mate on August 6 in Philadelphia, PA
Walz said Minnesota has always been there and will always be there to “provide shelter from the storm.”
While the governor spoke of his hopes and openness to what’s to come, he also warned that the state must be ready for the Trump administration.
“The moment they try to bring a hateful agenda into this state, I stand ready to stand up and fight for the way we do things here,” he said.
He said Minnesota has always been there and always will be there to “provide shelter from the storm.”
Walz noted that there were 1.5 million Minnesotans who voted for Trump and Vance in the election. He said that while there is no room for the most extreme elements of their agenda, he called for a place where everyone can be heard.
“Now that this election is behind us, I’m going to try even harder to keep an open mind and an open heart and really listen to people who don’t support me or my policies, to work with everyone in the Legislature work to find a compromise. and a common ground, because that’s how we come back together after fighting each other for so long,” he said.
The governor struck a mostly positive and optimistic tone, but that didn’t stop him from taking another dig at his rival vice presidential hopeful J.D. Vance, noting that he knows how to order donuts.
It was a reference to one of Vance’s cringiest moments during the campaign.
Before Walz spoke, he was introduced by his wife Gwen, who has also campaigned hard in recent months to help Democrats.
“Kamala Harris is a remarkable leader,” Minnesota’s first lady said in her tearful introduction. “She would have been a remarkable president.”
She said she was so grateful to have met Vice President and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Walz told his supporters that it’s okay to be sad and scared and to give themselves the “grace to grieve.”
The Minnesota First Lady also said the work continues to keep Minnesota safe, inclusive and strong.
“We cannot and will not give up this fight,” she cheered.
Although these were the first public comments from both Tim and Gwen Walz since the election defeat, they were there when Harris conceded the election in Washington DC on Wednesday.
Governor Tim Walz with Gwen and daughter Hope next to Doug Emhoff as Vice President Harris delivered her concession speech Wednesday
Both were visibly emotional as they stood alongside Emhoff and other family members in the crowd at Howard University.
Their children Hope, 23, and Gus, 18, have also connected with followers on social media.
Their daughter posted a series of TikToks saying that the country didn’t deserve Harris, but that everything will be fine.