U.S. Rep. Tim Walz will not run for governor in 2010.
Word had been circulating that Walz was calling key supporters to inform them of his plans. Walz confirmed his decision in an interview with MinnPost moments ago.
This bluntly:
Me: “I’m calling to confirm rumors that you have decided not to run for governor.”
Walz: “That’s correct.”
Walz, a Democrat from Mankato who was just elected to a second House term, said this was “not a heart-wrenching decision,” that he never gave the idea of running for governor serious consideration and that he will stay focused on the issues coming before the Congress.
“I’m in the right position to help the people in my district in this critical time,” Walz said.
“We were never going to do it,” he said, of the wide-open governor’s race.
Speculation that Walz might run for governor has been around for months, and he was widely viewed as a top-tier candidate in the likely DFL field.
Walz, a National Guard veteran with strong interest in military international issues, said those interest and experiences were among the reasons that staying in Congress was the right decision.
He also said that his personal style and skills seem best suited for the work of a congressman.
Although I couldn’t disagree more with Tim Walz concerning his votes to continue funding this obscene occupation of Iraq, I am still sorry to hear that he has decided not to run. Other votes show him to be level-headed, like his decision not to support the massive giveaway of resources to wealthy CEOs in the bailout legislation. Even worse, his decision makes the playing field a bit easier for folks like Ramsey County Prosecutor Susan Gaertner and St Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Those two absolutely betrayed our fundamental freedoms during the Republican National Convention. And for what? It wasn’t for money, since most businesses lost a bundle. The only thing most Minnesotans got out of the convention was a Sarah Palin fashion show…and maybe a face full of pepper spray.
Congressman Tim Walz is one of the most authentic and intelligent all of the people serving our nation in office. He is a great congressman. He would be a great governor or senator. He is a gift to the 1st Congressional District. They are lucky he has chosen to continue his work in Congress.
The word that he would run for governor was circulating because many in this state see him as a truly gifted leader. It was simply wishful thinking.
I just want to thank him for serving the state of Minnesota with such honor and gusto! He has a joy about him that is wonderful. You can see that he loves the work that he does.
Most of the speculation seemed to come from people who don’t know him.
And more seriously, as Mr. Underwood has indicated, while Tim represents his District well, he is more conservative than Minnesota (and national) Democrats in general.
He would have serious problems getting the nomination.
Geez, who asked him, Collin Peterson? We don’t need any more blue dogs from this state. Voted wrong on FISA, Iraq funding and most recently the loan to the big three. That vote was straight anti-union. Why does he hate the middle class?
I contributed to his first campaign, but after the FISA vote I contacted them and had take me off his donor list. At least you can count on a Republican to vote Republican. All you can count on with yahoos like Walz is being disapointed