As Minnesota Governor Tim Walz emerges as a potential vice presidential candidate for Kamala Harris on the 2024 Democratic ticket, his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Minneapolis riots has attracted criticism from various quarters.
Republican critics have voiced concerns about Walz’s leadership during these challenging times. Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann criticized Walz for his response to the riots that erupted in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s murder. Hann accused Walz of failing to act decisively to quell the unrest, suggesting that he was hesitant to alienate his progressive base. “He did nothing to try to stop the riots going on in Minneapolis,” Hann told Fox News Digital. “I think he was fearful of alienating his ‘progressive’ base, who were supporting the riots.”
Similarly, Republican State Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka criticized Walz for the delayed deployment of the National Guard during the riots, claiming that Walz’s response was too slow and resulted in unnecessary damage. Gazelka also expressed concerns about Walz’s pandemic measures, including a hotline to report COVID-19 mandate violations, which he described as “unnecessary.”
Beyond his handling of the pandemic and civil unrest, Walz has faced scrutiny over his budget management and state policies. Critics, including House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, have raised concerns about a large budget surplus that was used for other state initiatives rather than providing tax relief. Demuth also criticized the increase in taxes and fees under Walz’s administration.
Additionally, Walz has been scrutinized for rising violent crime rates in Minnesota.
Despite these criticisms, Walz has received support from Democrats who argue that his leadership has been effective.
As Walz continues to be considered for a vice presidential nomination, his record as governor remains a focal point of debate, reflecting both his supporters’ views of effective governance and his critics’ concerns about his leadership. Walz’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
