‘I did the best I could’: Tim Walz reflects on presidential loss

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the recent presidential election, opened up about the Democratic ticket’s loss in his first interview with local Minnesota media.
Speaking with KSTP-TV, Walz admitted he was taken aback by the results, noting, “I was a little surprised we lost. I thought we had a positive message, and I thought the country was ready for that.”

Walz reflected on the momentum he felt on the campaign trail, stating, “It felt like at the rallies, at the things I was going to, the shops I was going in, that the momentum was going our way. And it obviously wasn’t at the end.”

His remarks come after the Democrats faced a significant electoral defeat, with Donald Trump reclaiming the presidency and Republicans gaining control of the Senate while maintaining a House majority.
Self-reflection and campaign dynamics
Walz candidly addressed the challenges the campaign faced, saying, “Are there things you could’ve done differently? Since we lost, the answer is obviously yes. On this one, I did the best I could.”

As per The New York Times, Walz expressed disbelief at Trump’s appeal to middle-class voters, remarking, “To have Donald Trump seen as a champion of the middle class, I fully don’t see how that would happen, but I recognise that’s where people voted.”
He avoided directly critiquing Harris or her campaign strategy, instead focusing on the broader political landscape. “I think we have to decide: is the message the right one?” he said in an interview with WCCO-TV.
Looking ahead
Since the election, Walz has shifted his focus back to state governance. According to KSTP-TV, Minnesota’s House of Representatives is now evenly split at 67-67, setting the stage for a challenging legislative session.
Walz expressed optimism about working with the new dynamics, stating, “Coming back here now and having the privilege to be able to continue to do this work feels really good.”
The governor also reminisced about campaign highlights, including the moment Harris introduced him as her running mate at Temple University. “She turns to me, and she says, ‘Well, let’s not screw this up,’ and we went out there,” he recalled to KMSP-TV.
Though Walz remains uncertain about his political future, including whether he will seek a third gubernatorial term in 2026, his reflections suggest a leader ready to adapt and move forward.
As he told KSTP-TV, “I think we made an impact, but the voters have spoken.”