Tim Walz for PRESIDENT? 2028 Democratic Primary Heats Up
The Josh Lafazan Show on YouTube - Episode 125
Welcome to The Josh Lafazan Show. In this episode, we dive deep into the growing speculation around Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his likely entry into the 2028 presidential race—not as someone’s running mate, but as a top-of-the-ticket contender. Could Tim Walz be the first Democrat to officially launch a campaign for president in 2028? All signs seem to suggest that’s exactly where this is heading.
Walz has been making serious political moves ever since he and Vice President Kamala Harris lost their reelection bid last November. Instead of retreating into political obscurity, Walz has leaned in—hard. Earlier this year, he kicked off a national “listening tour,” beginning with stops in red states like Ohio. While he framed the trip as an effort to reconnect with disaffected Democratic voters in non-swing states, it was also a clear indication that he’s testing the waters for a national campaign of his own. As Andrew Tobias reported, Walz has made it his mission to figure out what went wrong for Democrats and how to reverse the party’s recent setbacks in Middle America.
But it’s not just listening sessions and small talk. Walz has been sharply critical of how the Biden administration handled the economy—particularly inflation. In a revealing interview with Vox, Walz said President Biden failed to acknowledge the economic pain felt by working-class Americans in 2023. He suggested that direct action—like stimulus checks—should have been on the table. “It was a change election,” Walz said, pointing to global political trends. “We needed to be the change.” While careful not to throw Kamala Harris under the bus, his comments make it clear he’s trying to carve out a lane distinct from the prior Democratic leadership.
His recent trip to South Carolina—the state that resurrected Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign—is being interpreted by many as a major political signal. Walz spoke at a high-profile event hosted by Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of the most influential Democrats in the country. There, he positioned himself as a fighter against Trump-era policies and emphasized the importance of gubernatorial leadership in standing up to federal overreach. But this wasn’t just about policy—it was about presence. Walz is making sure Democratic insiders and primary voters alike know he’s still on the national stage.
However, Walz’s path hasn’t been without controversy. At a recent talk at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Walz made a widely criticized remark, admitting that he was picked as Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024 “to talk to white guys.” The comment sparked backlash from both sides of the aisle and became a talking point on conservative media. While some chalked it up to awkward honesty, others saw it as political tone-deafness—a misstep he’ll have to answer for if he runs.
So, is there an appetite for a Tim Walz candidacy in 2028? The good news: polling shows that the Democratic base does not blame Walz—or even Harris—for the loss in 2024. Instead, most Democrats point to President Biden’s declining approval ratings and his late decision to stay in the race as the root cause of the defeat. That gives Walz a potential opening to reintroduce himself to voters without the baggage of the prior campaign.
The bad news? Kamala Harris remains a formidable presence in the party. Early 2028 polling from FiveThirtyEight shows Harris leading the Democratic field with 30% support, while Walz remains in the low single digits. Breaking out of the shadow of his former running mate won’t be easy, especially if she decides to run as well.
Still, the moves Walz is making—national appearances, message testing, soft contrasts with Biden, and strategic silence on Harris—are textbook steps for someone planning a run. With his moderate Midwestern background, executive experience, and growing national name recognition, Walz could appeal to a broad coalition of voters. Whether that’s enough to make him a real contender remains to be seen.
In this episode, we break down Tim Walz’s emerging 2028 strategy, analyze the risks and opportunities ahead of him, and discuss what his candidacy could mean for the future of the Democratic Party. Don’t miss it—and let us know in the comments: Do you think Tim Walz has what it takes to win in 2028?
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