(The Center Square) – If Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz becomes the vice president of the United States, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan would become the first female governor the state and the nation’s first Native American governor.
According to state law, Walz is allowed to remain governor while campaigning, unlike other states with “resign to run” laws. If he were to win, he would resign after the election and transfer his powers to Flanagan.
The Minnesota senate president, Bobby Joe Champion, would become the new lieutenant governor.
If the Harris-Walz ticket were to lose, Walz would continue as Minnesota governor until his term expires in January 2027. He could still be reelected as governor, and continue in his state position until 2030.
Minnesota has a unique history of producing vice presidents. Most recently, Walter Mondale served under Jimmy Carter, while Hubert Humphrey served under Lyndon B. Johnson.
Of America’s 46 vice presidents, 16 previously served as governors. The last time a governor became a vice president was in 2016, when Mike Pence was elected alongside former President Donald Trump. However, unlike Walz, Pence’s gubernatorial term was already set to expire at the end of the year. The last governor to become president was George W. Bush, who was elected while still serving Texas.
Since Walz selection Tuesday morning, multiple Minnesota politicians have expressed their support — or concerns — over Harris’ VP pick.
“Congratulations to our next Vice President Tim Walz. Our North Star state Governor has signed universal school meals, paid family and sick leave, marijuana legalization, and protections for reproductive rights into law. Bringing Minnesota nice to the ticket,” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, D-MN posted on X, formerly Twitter, this morning.
During his tenure as governor, Walz has pushed in favor of unions and expanded abortion accessibility. However, other Minnesotans argue he is too liberal on taxes and transgender rights, as well as exhibited a lackluster response to the Minneapolis riots in 2020.
“It’s not surprising Kamala Harris picked Tim Walz to be her running mate — he embodies the same disastrous economic, open-borders, and soft-on-crime policies Harris has inflicted on our country the last four years,” Congressman Tom Emmer, R-MN, said on X. “Walz is an empty suit who has worked to turn Minnesota into Harris’ home state of California, and solidifies this ticket’s full embrace of a radical, America-last agenda.”
