Who could get tapped to be Walz’s running mate?

Gov. Tim Walz did not make any mention of who would run alongside him as lieutenant governor when he rolled out his campaign for a third term on Tuesday.

Minnesota’s current lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, is running for U.S. Senate and will leave her post by the end of 2026 whether she wins the race or not.

“Under his leadership, we worked to make Minnesota affordable, accessible, and equitable for everyone,” Flanagan posted on X in response to Walz’s announcement. “He has my full support in his next chapter of leadership.”

Minnesota gubernatorial candidates run as a slate with their lieutenant governor picks, so Walz is expected to carefully consider who he selects as his next running mate, especially if its seen as an opportunity to generate momentum around his run.

A spokesman for the governor’s office said Walz has yet to speak with prospective lieutenant governor candidates and will make an announcement at a later date. But Minnesota politicos are already speculating on who his second in command could be.

The list of prospects includes former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen, who dropped out of the U.S. Senate race earlier this year. Two Democrats familiar with conversations say Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston is interested in the job. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Golden Valley Mayor Roslyn Harmon have also been talked about as possible lieutenant governor candidates.

“You want somebody who elevates or creates a new sense of excitement for the ticket because he’s running for this unprecedented third term,” said former DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson.

Walz, a former congressman from the Republican-leaning First Congressional District, tapped Flanagan during his first run for governor in 2018. The two met when she trained him to run for office at Camp Wellstone and struck up a fast friendship.

Walz was regarded as a moderate Democrat at the time, and Flanagan provided a contrast on the ticket as a progressive state legislator and Native American woman from St. Louis Park.

Now a household name after running nationally at the top of the ticket, Walz will be able to take more risks in who he names as his running mate, Democrats say.

“He’s a known commodity nationally and in Minnesota, so who he picks as lieutenant governor won’t be as relevant when he first ran and chose Peggy Flanagan,” said former DFL Executive Director Corey Day.

Day thinks the race and gender of his running mate will factor into Walz’s decision, but looking at who is the best “governing partner” he can trust will likely be Walz’s biggest priority.

Flanagan and Walz’s relationship came under strain after his vice presidential bid last year and she was the first Democrat to announce a U.S. Senate run shortly after Sen. Tina Smith announced she was retiring.

Winston had no comment when asked about his interest in lieutenant governor. “There’s plenty of work to be done in Brooklyn Park and I’m focused on my job there,” he added.

Carter, the first Black mayor of St. Paul, said he is focused on his current job. “I’m not a candidate and I haven’t spoken to the governor at all,” Carter said. “I’m very much a candidate for mayor of St. Paul.”

Witt, the Hennepin County sheriff, could not be reached for comment. López Franzen, who was the first woman of color to lead the Senate DFL, did not rule out the possibility of running for lieutenant governor when recently asked about her interest in the role.

Harmon, who was elected in 2023 and is the first Black mayor of Golden Valley, said in an email that she hasn’t met with the governor but would “welcome a conversation about the possibility of serving as a candidate.”