After defeat, Tim Walz faces party fortunes in Minnesota

Since returning to Minnesota after his failed vice presidential bid, Gov. Tim Walz has kept a relatively low profile. He consoled his deflated supporters with a speech at a high school, posed for photos with a turkey at the Minnesota State Capitol to mark Thanksgiving and flew to the Bahamas for a brief respite from the cold.

This week, Mr. Walz, a Democrat, is expected to begin seriously grappling with his party’s political fortunes in his home state as lawmakers begin to gather in St. Paul for what is expected to be a 2015 legislative session. Unusually acrimonious state.

Minnesota Democrats have controlled the governor’s mansion and state legislature for the past two years, allowing them to pass a slew of liberal laws on abortion, marijuana and medical leave rights. But they are preparing for a new era of gridlock, after losing their slim majority in the House. Their control over the Senate is tenuous.

State budget officials released a grim assessment of Minnesota’s fiscal health last month, warning that spending is expected to outpace revenue in coming years. Officials have said a $5.1 billion deficit is possible by 2028. Under Democratic leadership, the state had a $17.5 billion surplus at one point, which led critics to question how taxpayer money was spent.

“This is going to be a tough, tough, really tough session,” said Blois Olson, a political analyst and communications strategist in St. Paul. One question looming in St. Paul is whether Mr. Walz will seek a third term in 2026 after what many believe was a bruising return to state office during the legislative session. “If he feels defeated after this,” Mr. Olson said, “I think his chances of running again will be low.”

Soon after Mr. Walz returned from the national election campaign in November, signs of new tensions emerged in his country. Mr. Walz has not been seen at public events with his lieutenant governor and running mate, Peggy Flanagan. Reports of differences over preparations for a possible gubernatorial succession plan – in the event of a Democratic victory in the White House – have become widespread.