The Minnesota governor unexpectedly announced this month that he wouldn’t run for re-election.

Walz had said this month that he would not seek re-election as governor — sending shock waves through state and national politics — but he did not go so far as to say he would not consider another elected position down the line.

In explaining his decision Wednesday, Walz talked about the scenes unfolding in Minneapolis between residents and federal officers. He said he found that there are “heroes on the streets that we don’t know their names.”

“They’re never going to run for office, and those grass-tops leaders brought this administration to their knees this week to do something about it. So there’s other ways to serve, and I’ll find them,” he said.

    • Taldan@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      He has had more of an impact on my life than any other governor I can think of

      Junk fee ban is the first one that comes to mind. It’s seemingly small, but impacts so much. I buy things basically every day. Now it’s so much more honest

      He’s also reformed the gig work platforms for both workers and users. Not to mention little things like right to cancel for those platforms

      Also recreational weed

      Not to mention he has maintained a budget surplus. Basic fiscal responsibility that is unfortunately rare in modern America

      • SpaghettiMan@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Yeah, that’s great. Bare minimum stuff if you ask me. I mean, his constituents are being murdered and he hasn’t stopped the people doing it. That’s a major faux pas in my book, but if you’re willing to overlook that, I guess he was a good governor.

        • dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net
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          3 months ago

          Y’know, the Minnesota FOP issued a statement that they back ICE. Seems like Walz recognizes that from an official standpoint he has limited power, if he tried to (say) tell the state police to arrest ICE agents they may just “not find any” or they might openly defy the order. The MN National Guard may or may not respond but they’re also not really equipped for law enforcement operations.

          Fact is, governmental power only works if people are following the law, and a lot of our “law enforcement” at every level in this country sees themselves as above the law. So if a civilian official tells them to do something they want to do, all good. If they’re told to do something that could lead to limitations in their power, they’ll at best refuse, at worst they might just remove the civilian leader in question.

          • BreakerSwitch@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            This. Minneapolis police are a nightmare and I’m not sure what methods have historically worked for fixing that, but I do know that I have friends who live in neighborhoods that MPD won’t go to, not because they’re dangerous, but because they’re near George Floyd square

          • petrol_sniff_king@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            3 months ago

            if he tried to (say) tell the state police to arrest ICE agents they may just “not find any” or they might openly defy the order.

            Okay. Say it anyway. Make them defend themselves in public. I would love to hear them explain why they are defying a direct order from the Minnesota state government.

            But also, no, the national guard would side with Minnesota civilians.

    • HessiaNerd@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Curious, but are you from Minnesota?

      I’m not, but I am aware he was able to pass legislation giving all kids in his state free lunch. I’d hardly call that nothing.

        • SpaghettiMan@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          That’s a good thing. It should not be a major accomplishment. It should be a positive in a myriad of things that the people are asking for.

          • supernight52@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            So, since he hasn’t done literally everything that YOU think he should do, or should be doing- he’s not a good Governor. I feel terrible for anyone that has to put up with your expectations, because geez. One slip-up and you might kill them.

            • SpaghettiMan@lemmy.world
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              3 months ago

              My expectations: When your constituents are being murdered, you stop the people doing the murdering and charge them with murder.

              One slip-up and you might kill them.

              wtf are you talking about?

                • SpaghettiMan@lemmy.world
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                  3 months ago

                  If charging fascists for the murder they commit is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. Whose side are you on?

                  • supernight52@lemmy.world
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                    3 months ago

                    I’m on the side of the protestors. Just like anyone with a brain. What do you think happens when those fascists get charged? They get pardoned by Trump, and there’s nothing we can do about it. You act like the State Troopers would actually arrest ICE agents if Walz told them to. They wouldn’t- most of them are on the same team as ICE. You’re either intentionally acting naive, or you have no idea of the implications of what you suggest. Neither put you in a good light.

                  • FatCrab@slrpnk.net
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                    3 months ago

                    What do you think a governor’s role and powers actually are? It doesn’t seem like you have a clue.

      • SpaghettiMan@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Do you need to be from Texas or Florida to think Cruz or Desantis are awful people?

        Free lunch is great. They are doing it in other states. If the bare minimum is your high bar, I guess he’s a great governor.

          • SpaghettiMan@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            I can agree with that, however when people are being murdered a good leader takes action. I don’t see that here.

        • Bleys@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          Your exact quote was “Walz has done nothing but finger wag”, then someone gives an example of positive legislation he did, and you immediately move the goalposts. Gtfo here with your purity tests.