Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he would not pursue a 2028 presidential campaign during a forum at Harvard Kennedy School on Monday night, April 28, 2025. Instead, he urged the Democratic Party to reconsider its messaging and campaign strategies in light of its defeats in the 2024 elections.
Walz, Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 election, described himself as a connection to rural white voters, emphasizing the Democratic Party’s need to reclaim its core identity.
In conversation with ABC News national political reporter Brittany Shepherd, Walz openly discussed his role in the 2024 campaign. “I could code talk to White guys watching football, fixing their truck,” he stated, indicating that his appeal to white, working-class men contributed to Harris’s decision to choose him as her vice-presidential candidate.
This event was part of what Walz describes as a national “listening tour.” Alongside town halls in Republican-held districts, he has participated in forums and media interviews to analyze the Democratic Party’s challenges and future strategies. When Shepherd inquired about the 2028 presidential race, Walz confirmed he does not intend to run. Instead, he advocated for a strategy focused on building campaign infrastructure before selecting a nominee.
Walz highlighted the necessity for unified campaign efforts without a designated candidate, stressing that such groundwork could strengthen the party’s position for 2028.
He has often pointed to the Democratic Party’s inability to manage its narrative as a significant factor in the 2024 loss. “We would have won,” he asserted about the Harris-Walz ticket, had the party been more proactive in engaging with media opportunities. Walz noted that there is room for initiatives like Gavin Newsom’s podcast and Bernie Sanders’ rallies, underlining the importance of engaging across conventional and alternative platforms.
In 2024, Democrats were criticized for avoiding cable news, right-leaning podcasts, and other venues where Republican candidates made progress.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent podcast, which has featured guests like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, is part of an effort to re-engage with those channels. Similarly, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are attracting large crowds on their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
Nevertheless, Walz’s outreach has met with resistance. At a town hall in Wisconsin, a woman who registered for the event told Fox News Digital she was removed after filming Trump supporters being escorted out. In Minnesota, Walz faced heckling at the state Capitol by veterans over previous comments. He also faced conservative criticism after appearing to celebrate a Tesla stock drop during increased vandalism. Additionally, the governor received ridicule from Republicans over a state bill that provided menstrual products in all school bathrooms, including boys’ restrooms, earning him the nickname “Tampon Tim” among conservative critics.
Despite these challenges, Walz has remained vocal about what he perceives as the Democratic Party’s shortcomings in connecting with key groups. He expressed concern that the party’s message and influence are diminishing. He questioned how the Democrats had lost their identity as advocates for personal freedoms, middle-class citizens, and labor rights.
Walz’s comments came just before former President Donald Trump marked his first 100 days back in office. The Minnesota governor warned that Democratic inaction would allow Trump to gain ground. “If you leave a void, Donald Trump will fill it,” Walz stated. “If I ever had 100 days to live, I would spend it in the Trump administration because it’s like a lifetime.”
He continued, “It’s been 100 days of destruction. You think we can survive 550 more? That’s the challenge. That’s how long it is until the midterms.”
As the Democratic field remains uncertain ahead of 2028, Walz’s remarks suggest a party still evaluating its direction. The former vice-presidential nominee is focused on influencing the conversation from the outside, advocating for a transformed campaign model and a broader approach to political communication.
