Minnesota’s Tim Walz says he will never seek elected office again

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that his time as an elected official will end permanently when he finishes his term as governor.

“I will never run for elected office again. Ever,” Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said in an interview with MS NOW.

Walz had said this month that he would not seek re-election as governor — which would have sent shockwaves through state and national politics — but he stopped short of saying he would not consider another elected office in the future.

In explaining his decision Wednesday, Walz spoke about the scenes unfolding in Minneapolis between residents and federal agents. He said he noticed that there were “heroes in the streets whose names we don’t know.”

“They will never run for office, and these grassroots leaders brought this administration to its knees this week to do something. So there are other ways to serve, and I will find them,” he said.

Walz’s earlier announcement that he would not seek a third term as governor came amid increased scrutiny of Minnesota’s handling of child care fraud allegations. This also came months after Walz said he wanted to run again.

The surprise news fueled speculation about his plans after leaving office.

About 18 months earlier, Walz was thrust into the national spotlight when Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate in the 2024 election. Walz had repeatedly said – even before 2024 – that he was considering a future presidential run, but he had said he would rule out a 2028 run if he sought re-election as governor.

In foregoing another campaign for governor, Walz, a frequent target of President Donald Trump, cited what he called “political gamesmanship” by Republicans.

“Every minute I spend advocating for my own political interests would be a minute I cannot spend defending Minnesotans against criminals who take advantage of our generosity and cynics who take advantage of our differences,” he said in a statement this month.

Harris, in a personal statement, said at the time that Walz’s “decision not to seek re-election reflects the same selfless commitment to the people he serves.”

Walz’s announcement Wednesday comes after federal agents fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, sparking sharp criticism of the Trump administration from Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other Democrats. Between the fatal shootings, the Justice Department subpoenaed Walz, Frey and other state leaders as part of an investigation into whether Minnesota officials conspired to obstruct federal law enforcement during the Trump administration’s immigration operations there.

“Look, I recognize I’m a lightning rod,” he said on MS NOW, adding, “I know they hate me personally and they’re going after my constituents.”

Trump and Walz spoke by phone Monday, signaling a potential easing of tensions between the administration and state and local officials.