Tim Walz Energizes Democrats in South Carolina, California/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is headlining Democratic conventions in South Carolina and California to reenergize the party following its 2024 defeat. His growing national presence fuels speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. Walz emphasizes unity, working-class values, and resistance to Trump’s aggressive second-term agenda.
Democratic Momentum Tour: Quick Looks
- Tim Walz to keynote South Carolina Democratic convention Saturday
- California Democrats welcome Walz to Anaheim convention stage
- Democratic Party searching for post-Harris leadership direction
- Walz praised as a compassionate, common-sense leader
- His appearances raise speculation about 2028 ambitions
- Walz continues town halls in red and swing districts
- Fundraising efforts tied to his national travel campaign
- Governor still undecided on 2026 reelection bid
- Party frustration grows over perceived softness on Trump
- Walz calls for unity, fairness, and opportunity for all
Deep Look: Tim Walz Steps Into National Spotlight with Key Democratic Appearances
MINNEAPOLIS — May 31, 2025
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is taking his growing national profile to South Carolina and California, where he will speak at two of the Democratic Party’s most high-profile state conventions on Saturday. His appearances come at a crucial moment for Democrats, who are still recalibrating after the 2024 defeat of Kamala Harris and Walz by President Donald Trump.
Walz, a former schoolteacher, veteran, and member of Congress before becoming governor, will keynote the South Carolina Democratic Convention in Columbia — an early proving ground for national Democrats and potential White House contenders. His presence there underscores speculation about his 2028 ambitions, even as he insists he’s focused on the present.
“From the classroom to the governor’s office, Tim Walz leads with compassion and common sense,” the South Carolina Democratic Party stated on social media. “He’s proof that you can govern with both heart and backbone.”
A Message for the Base: Fairness, Dignity, Opportunity
Later on Saturday, Walz is also slated to speak at the California Democratic Party Convention in Anaheim, another major stage for Democrats weighing their future strategy. California Democratic Chair Rusty Hicks lauded Walz’s record, calling him a “trailblazer” who’s fought consistently for working families.
“He’s a former teacher, a veteran, and a trailblazer… standing up for the values we all share — fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all,” Hicks said.
Walz’s dual-state appearance signals his broadening appeal across Democratic factions and geographies, particularly as the party debates how to rebuild its national coalition post-2024.
2028: A Possibility, Not a Promise
While Walz hasn’t officially entered the 2028 presidential conversation, he has not ruled it out either. In an interview with The New Yorker Radio Hour earlier this year, he acknowledged he would “certainly consider” a White House run if the timing were right. Yet in a separate interview with CNN, he downplayed immediate ambitions.
“I’m not thinking about running in 2028,” he said on State of the Union last month — a statement many took with a grain of salt.
He’s keeping his options open while building goodwill and visibility in key early-voting states like Iowa, where he launched a series of town halls this spring.
Back on the Road: Town Halls and Party Unity
In March, Walz resumed a national tour to hold town halls across competitive congressional districts, particularly in GOP-led areas where Republican lawmakers have avoided public events. His events in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas were part of a broader campaign to reconnect the Democratic Party with rural and middle America.
“For the past few weeks, I’ve been showing up where Republicans won’t,” Walz said in a recent fundraising email. “I’ve hosted town halls to hear from people the GOP is neglecting.”
His campaign’s “Support Tim on the Road” fundraising initiative has leveraged this momentum to keep donors and grassroots supporters engaged.
Future in Minnesota Still Uncertain
Back home, Walz hasn’t yet announced whether he’ll seek a third term as Minnesota governor in 2026. He told local reporters that he’ll likely make that decision after July, once he wraps up a planned special legislative session to finalize the state’s budget.
Despite legislative gridlock and mixed signals, Walz remains a central figure in the party’s conversation about its identity and strategy in the Trump era.
“Democrats are frustrated — they want to see someone push back,” said a DFL strategist familiar with Walz’s plans. “Tim’s message is simple: common sense, compassion, and showing up where it counts.”
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