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Politics and Government News
Dana Ferguson
Updated:

Vice presidential campaign pulls Gov. Tim Walz away from Minnesota

A man motions to the crowd with his hands
Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a campaign rally in Eau Claire, Wis., on Aug. 7.
Kerem Yücel | MPR News

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For the foreseeable future, Minnesota might be more of a layover than a home base for Gov. Tim Walz as he racks up the miles as the Democratic vice presidential candidate.

And that’s put some of his normal duties in the hands of others or required remote attention as he criss-crosses the country campaigning for and with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The official schedule put out by his office has become repetitive of late: “Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.”

In the eight days since Walz was named as Harris’ running mate, Walz appeared at rallies and fundraisers in more than a half-dozen states. He’ll check off more before the week is up with stops in Rhode Island, Nebraska and New York on the docket. And that frenzied travel is not going to let up between now and November.

On Wednesday, members of the state Board of Land Exchange, Minnesota Executive Council and State Board of Investment gaveled in for back-to-back meetings after noting that a key player was missing. 

Walz — who by law chairs the boards — was away.

That meant that other members, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and State Auditor Julie Blaha, ran the proceedings in his absence.

On the day after Walz was named as Harris’ running mate last week, Flanagan spoke on a panel at Farmfest, the annual agriculture trade show in Redwood County. The governor was marketed as a speaker at the event and usually enjoys the chance to mingle with farmers.

So far, there haven’t been any big emergencies — natural or otherwise — where his absence would hinder a state government response.

Last week, Flanagan said Walz won’t shirk his duties in Minnesota in the run-up to Election Day.

“Tim Walz is still the governor. Minnesotans will continue to see him here in the state,” Flanagan said. “Of course, he’ll be on the campaign trail, but I think he can do two things at once.”

Flanagan has frequently appeared alongside Walz at news conferences and official events. But she could take on more solo speaking engagements or other duties in the next two months. She was set to headline an I-94 groundbreaking ceremony on Friday.

At Wednesday’s board meetings, people there to press the state to divest from investments in Israel noted the empty seat at the table. 

“As Gov. Tim Walz prepares to run for the second-highest elected position in this country, his track record here will undoubtedly be watched on the national stage now, if he’s willing to say on CNN a few months ago that what’s happening in Gaza is intolerable, why then can he tolerate funding it?” said Emma Fletcher, a member of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and the Democratic Socialists of America.

“As the governor of Minnesota who oversees our state investments. Sympathetic words are nice, but not enough,” Fletcher continued.

The board did not take up a motion to divest during its meeting yesterday and has fielded similar testimony in the past.

Walz has been back to Minnesota since being added to the ticket. He was spotted at a dog park on Sunday, and on Monday he held in-person interviews before selecting a new judge. He also voted in the primary election before jetting to California for events. 

His staff said he’s been able to participate during his return trips to Minnesota or remotely. The rest his staff and colleagues in executive leadership can help with duties, aides said.

At least a couple staffers from the governor’s office will also be deployed for the campaign. His communications director Teddy Tschann will serve as his press secretary and Chris Schmitter, Walz’s current chief of staff, will serve as his senior adviser, as first reported by Politico’s West Wing Playbook.

Republican political strategist and former state Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch said that Flanagan’s role co-hosting the events in the past could make Walz’s absence less apparent and streamline a potential transfer of power later.

“I do think it’s helpful that Lt. Gov. Flanagan has been so involved, probably the most involved lieutenant governor that we’ve had as far as any history that I can remember, which may help,” Koch told MPR News’ Minnesota Now this week.

It could just be a taste of things to come: if Harris and Walz win, Flanagan would be promoted to governor once he officially gives up the post.