Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) holds a notable place on the political stage, partly due to his memorable participation in a vice presidential debate where JD Vance decisively outperformed him in October 2024.

Following a similar setback in the subsequent month, one might expect Walz to maintain a low profile in 2025 to steer clear of further national scrutiny. Contrary to this expectation, he is actively seeking reelection as governor in 2026. In a surprising twist, there are whispers of a potential 2028 presidential bid, despite Walz having previously dismissed such ambitions in July.

All signs point to his political aspirations, as evidenced by his town hall tour earlier this year in districts won by Republicans. Walz has also frequently drawn parallels between President Trump and authoritarian leaders and once provocatively suggested he wished the unfounded rumors of Trump’s demise, which gained traction over the Labor Day weekend, were true.

He certainly has given every indication that he’s interested, between the town hall tour he did earlier this year in Republican-won congressional districts, the repeated comparisons of President Trump to authoritarian dictators, and even once insinuating that he wished the baseless Lincoln Project-fueled rumors of Trump’s death that circulated around the Labor Day holiday weekend were true.