“There’s other ways to serve and I’ll find them,” he added.

ST PAUL, Minn — Gov. Tim Walz says he is a “lightning rod” to the Republican Party. It’s part of why he dropped out of his bid for reelection at the start of this month. 

Now, in an interview with MS Now, he says he is never going to run for public office again. 

He made the comment while talking about the animosity he has received from members of the Republican Party, notably President Donald Trump, especially since his failed bid as the Vice Presidential candidate in 2024. 

“I have no political considerations,” Gov. Walz said. “I will never run for an elected office again.” The interviewer asked Walz to clarify. “Never again?” “Never again,” Walz said. “And I will just do the work.”

“There’s other ways to serve and I’ll find them,” he added. 

Walz said he knows that Republicans “hate me personally,” but is concerned that “they take it out on my constituents.” He said he’ll be OK after office, commenting, “Old white guys who are former governors tend to land on their feet.”

Gov. Walz said some of the things he is most proud of accomplishing are paid family leave, free school lunches, and getting through COVID.