Minnesota Governor Tim Walz doesn’t talk much to Vice President Kamala Harris these days.
The governor and his former running mate have spoken only “a couple times” since November’s election, Walz revealed to The New Yorker’s David Remnick in an interview published Sunday.
Asked why the pair didn’t call or text more frequently, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee joked to Remnick, “Well, maybe she doesn’t want to talk to me after we got this thing done.” He added that they left in a “good place” and that his daughter Hope missed her greatly.
Newsweek reached out to Harris via inquiry form for comment.
Why This Matters
Walz and Harris appeared on the Democratic ticket together last year. Weeks after emerging as the presidential nominee in the wake of Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race, Harris tapped Walz in August as her running mate in August. Walz, who was seen as a more progressive choice for VP, often appeared alongside Harris at rallies. Harris has been floated as a potential candidate for California governor, while Walz is being considered a presidential candidate for 2028.
What to Know
Describing his relationship with Harris as “professional,” Walz explained that he and the California Democrat were on opposite sides of the country busy with their own political realities. Walz has since continued to serve as the governor of Minnesota since the Democrats’ election loss, while Harris moved back to the Golden State upon leaving the White House last month.
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“I’m doing my job, and she’s doing her job, and she’s out in California, I believe, living, and I’m here in beautiful Minnesota, where the weather’s always great,” Walz said.
The governor added that “there’ll be a time and a place” for the two to speak again and that his family “misses” Harris.
“My daughter, especially,” he said.
During the interview, Walz suggested that an earlier exit from Biden wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the election.
“Was there somebody else out there?” he asked. “I think we keep looking for this charismatic leader that was going to rise and lead us out of this. I don’t think it works that way. I think, as a party, we just need to do a better job of connecting.”
What People Are Saying
Tim Walz, Minnesota governor, told The New Yorker: “It was clear that [former Vice President Kamala Harris] was the top of the ticket, and my job was there to support her. She inspired me. I think there were a lot of things that America never knew about her. When I found out she was a band kid, I’m, like, Why aren’t we running ads on that?”
Kamala Harris, former vice president, said in her 2024 concession speech: “The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for. But hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting. To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so very much. To President Biden and Dr. Biden, thank you for your faith and support. To Governor Walz and the Walz family, I know your service to our nation will continue.”
What’s Next
Although Walz ruled out returning to Congress—he told Remnick he’d rather “eat glass” than return to the Capitol—the governor would “certainly consider” running for president if he thought he could “offer something.”
“I’ve always said this: I didn’t prepare my life to be in these jobs, but my life prepared me well,” Walz said. “And, if this experience I’ve had and what we’re going through right now prepares me for that, then I would. But I worry about people who have ambition for elected office. I don’t think you should have ambition. I think you should have a desire to do it if you’re asked to serve. And that’s kind of where I’m at.”
