If history had unfolded differently, Tim Walz might be preparing to start his second year as vice president. Instead, the Minnesota governor is considering going back to teaching geography.
“What I’m really good at is being a geography teacher,” Walz said with a laugh during a Tuesday press conference. “I think that’s something I’d find joy in—getting back into it and trying to teach.”
Before Walz ran for Congress and later governor, he was a at Mankato West High School in southern Minnesota.
Walz’s political future looked bright in 2024, when his legislative successes and helped convince Kamala Harris to serve as her running mate. Though they lost, Walz was still viewed as a rising star in the Democratic Party—even a for 2028.
But Walz—who has faced criticism for failing to prevent massive on his watch—announced Monday that he’s from the for governor.
He told reporters Tuesday that he doesn’t know what the future holds, except that he plans to run marathons and defend the age-group title he won in a shorter “Turkey Trot” race on Thanksgiving. He also said he expects to be occupied over the next year fighting off Minnesota’s , including a into the state.
“Look, I have a year of work ahead here. I think it will be the most challenging year—including probably COVID,” he said, referring to his 2020 leadership of the state’s coronavirus response. “I caution Minnesotans: this is going to get worse before it gets better. … For me, I’m going to see this work through.”
Walz also highlighted one of his proudest achievements in office: the Jan. 1 launch of a program, which the Legislature passed in 2023 after Democrats took full control of the statehouse for two years.
Walz and his allies used Minnesota’s relatively rare break from its usual to policies enacted by Minnesota Republicans—including for transgender youth and The list of Democratic priorities they advanced also included for all students and measures.
Dan Hofrenning, a political scientist at St. Olaf College, said he believes the end of Walz’s gubernatorial candidacy is likely the end of his career in elected office.
“You never say never about political futures, but being a two-term governor and vice presidential candidate is a pretty good run,” Hofrenning said. “Stepping out of the race at the end of that run is a recognition that he had some significant political vulnerabilities.”
If Walz had lost, Hofrenning added, his reputation would have been further tarnished. But now, Walz has the chance to move into an “elder statesman role,” he said. Walz could be a potential cabinet secretary or ambassador if a Democrat wins the 2028 presidential race, Hofrenning noted.
University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs wasn’t ready to write Walz off just yet. He described the governor as a “very talented politician who brings unique skill sets” to the Democratic Party.
“When you pull out like this, it’s easy to say ‘no future’ because he’s going out on a downer and seems to have his tail between his legs—but I think that’s shortsighted,” Jacobs said. “There could be an opportunity in a year or two, once this has blown over a bit, for him to run for U.S. Senate.”
But Jacobs isn’t convinced that a cabinet secretary role is in the cards for Walz.
“I think his time on the national scene as a VP candidate didn’t leave him in high standing,” Jacobs said. “There’s a real perception that he’s kind of out of his league.”
Walz earns about $127,000 a year as governor and has listed his main assets as his pension and other retirement plans. A in 2024 put his and his wife’s net worth at $800,000. estimated it at just over $1 million, but Walz said he was “the least wealthy politician on a major party ticket” that election cycle.
“He’s going to need employment. Maybe he finds a new niche, perhaps in the foundation world,” Jacobs said. “But I don’t think this is a guy who’s going to retire anytime soon.”