DES MOINES, Iowa — At a gathering of Iowans, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faced the crowd and was candid about the turbulent issues gripping the nation. “If I had all the solutions, we wouldn’t be stuck in this mess,” Walz confessed, acknowledging the complexities of the current political landscape.
Though no longer pursuing the vice presidency or holding any candidacy, Walz is actively reconnecting with voters. In the wake of losing last year’s election, he’s engaging in media interviews and recently spoke at the Montana Democratic Party’s annual dinner. Now, with a renewed focus, he is touring town halls across competitive congressional districts held by Republicans. This initiative follows a social media post reacting to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s advice for GOP members to bypass town halls, attributing protests outside to “professional activists.”
“During these chaotic times, it is crucial for elected representatives to listen to the public’s frustrations,” Walz stated. “Democratic leaders, particularly, must heed America’s cries and take action.” Although Walz was not in Iowa to directly challenge U.S. Representative Zach Nunn, whose district hosted the event with nearly 1,000 attendants, he urged Nunn to publicly address the voters’ concerns. Nunn secured the 3rd congressional district of Iowa in the 2024 elections by a slim margin.
The Iowa Democratic Party quickly organized the event following Walz’s request, according to Paige Godden, the party’s communications lead. The audience welcomed Walz with applause, proudly donning activist-themed apparel. Attendees like educators, students, and healthcare workers posed questions regarding healthcare, financial aids, and veterans’ programs.
Retired teacher Mike Suggett, from Pleasant Hill and a former teacher of Nunn, voiced his disappointment in Nunn’s responsiveness. Suggett lamented the generic replies received to his queries, suggesting Nunn avoids facing constituents directly. “We deserve to hear directly from our representatives,” he stated.
In response, Nunn highlighted through an email that he’s been actively engaging in numerous listening sessions to address Iowans’ needs directly and promised to deliver the changes they endorsed in the last elections. “Instead of masquerading fundraisers as forums like out-of-state Democrats do, we’re committed to tangible outcomes,” he remarked.
Previously, Walz made multiple stops in Iowa, advocating for then-President Joe Biden. His visits included fair appearances, fundraising for local Democrats, and media sessions contrasting Biden with Republican contenders gearing up for the Iowa GOP caucuses. His journey continues to Nebraska next — his childhood state — followed by possible visits to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio. These stops are significant as many areas were not covered during Walz’s compressed campaign the previous year, after Biden stepped down for Kamala Harris to lead the ticket.
While Walz passed on a 2024 Senate bid, he remains a possible presidential hopeful for 2028. Reflecting on the 2024 election dynamics, Walz acknowledged the necessity for Democrats to understand why voters struggled to distinguish between the presidential candidates and why messaging on immigration and Social Security didn’t land effectively. He asserted his commitment to understanding this disconnect.
Among the attendees was veteran Andrea Smith and her daughter, Liberty, aged 19, who were initially in Des Moines to advocate for veteran’s rights before deciding to join the Walz event. “His authenticity resonated with us,” Liberty said, recalling their connection to him during the election cycle.
May Dehaan, another attendee from suburban Clive, displayed her frustration with a “This is not normal” shirt, aiming to highlight the constituents’ dissatisfaction to Nunn. “Nunn fails to hear his electorate and follows GOP’s scripted narratives,” Dehaan stated, noting her own repeated but ignored outreach efforts.
