“Minnesota Is a Blue State”: Trump’s Hopes Dim with Walz on Democratic Ticket
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Donald Trump’s chances of winning Minnesota appear increasingly slim with the selection of the state’s Governor Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’ running mate. The former president has been focused on expanding his electoral map in November’s general election. A recent report from Politico highlighted Trump’s lingering bitterness over losing Minnesota, despite campaigning there three months ago during a break from his hush money trial.
“I lose Minnesota,” Trump lamented in 2020, “I’m never coming back.” In early May, senior campaign advisers presented polling data to top donors, suggesting that Minnesota and Virginia could be in play in November. However, Walz joining the Democratic ticket, after Harris replaced President Joe Biden and chose the governor as her vice presidential candidate, casts doubt on that possibility.
“Minnesota is a blue state,” stated Michael Brodkorb, a former deputy chair of the Minnesota Republican Party. “On a good day for Republicans, it can be a little bit of Vikings purple.” Historically, Minnesota has leaned Democratic. No GOP presidential candidate has won the state since Richard Nixon in 1972, and the last Republican to win a statewide race was Tim Pawlenty in 2006.
“Minnesota remains an uphill climb for any statewide Republican candidate, but President Trump has a real shot here,” Pawlenty commented. “Relative levels of voter turnout and President Trump’s performance in the suburbs will decide the election here.”
Trump’s focus on winning Minnesota in 2020 fell short as he lost by 7 points. When asked by Politico in May about Trump’s 2024 prospects, Walz dismissed them. “The former president says a lot of things that aren’t true,” Walz remarked. “Look, we’re a state of hockey. We know what a hat trick is: He was beaten in ‘16. He was beaten in ‘20. And he’ll lose in 2024.
The Republican Party out here has about $50 in the bank. There is no ground game out here. I just don’t see how being in court every day — and then saying you’re going to win Minnesota — makes that happen.” Trump’s fixation on Minnesota stems from his belief that he can flip the Midwestern state, despite its Democratic stronghold status.
His campaign’s efforts to argue the viability of Minnesota and Virginia as potential swing states now face significant challenges with Walz on the Democratic ticket. As the election approaches, the former president’s prospects in Minnesota appear increasingly uncertain.
