In a striking revelation ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Alpha News, a Minnesota-based outlet, sent a reporter to Mankato, the hometown of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The team spoke with local residents to gauge political sentiments in a town closely connected to Walz, who is now on the national stage as vice-presidential running mate to Kamala Harris. The findings are surprising, if not unsettling, for the Democratic ticket: every person interviewed voiced support for Donald Trump rather than the hometown candidate.
For the Harris-Walz campaign, this represents a potentially devastating symbolic blow. Minnesota has not supported a Republican candidate since Richard Nixon’s victory in 1972, giving the state a long-standing reputation as a Democratic stronghold. Yet polling for this election suggests a tightening race in Minnesota, creating the possibility of a historic upset.
According to Alpha News, reporter Liz Collin headed to Blue Earth County, where Mankato serves as a political and personal landmark for Walz. Before his career in Congress, Walz worked as a social studies teacher and football coach at Mankato West High School. Despite his decade-long political rise to state and now national prominence, it appears he has not retained strong support among some former neighbors and colleagues.
“We’re both voting for Trump. It’s really the only option,” one couple told Collin during her interviews in Mankato. Others expressed a similar disinterest in supporting Walz or the Democratic ticket, even when acknowledging his local roots.
Another Mankato resident, who didn’t vote for Trump in the previous election, shared that he would be doing so this time. This shift underscores a sentiment among some voters who feel increasingly disillusioned with the Democratic platform, policies, or performance, even with the prospect of a “hometown candidate” potentially serving as vice president.
While interviews such as these reflect only a portion of public opinion, they hint at a wider phenomenon that could significantly influence the election outcome. If Trump were to win Minnesota, the impact on the Harris-Walz ticket would be severe. Such a result could damage the broader Democratic image in Midwestern states, which are frequently battlegrounds in U.S. presidential elections. Minnesota’s “blue wall” status, a symbol of strong Democratic support in the region, would face renewed scrutiny.
Alpha News’ exploration in Mankato showed more than just a lack of enthusiasm for Walz; there was a general sense of frustration or apathy toward the Democratic establishment among locals. One resident bluntly said, “I don’t care for the man really, but that’s who they’ve picked.” This lukewarm reception reflects a broader issue the Harris-Walz campaign may face if similar feelings emerge in other parts of the state or even the region.
While not a formal survey, this report illustrates how residents in Mankato—a community with ties to Walz—are choosing Trump. Some may see this shift as a backlash against national policies or state leadership, while others may view it as frustration with what they perceive as an increasingly out-of-touch political class. For many of these voters, their decision to support Trump reflects both a rejection of the Democratic ticket and a desire for change on the national stage.
Historically, Minnesota has been a Democratic stronghold with only a few exceptions, most recently during the Nixon era. Yet Trump’s previous close calls in 2016 and 2020 suggest a gradual shift. Polling in the lead-up to the 2024 election shows a competitive race, and a potential Trump victory could signal deeper, lasting changes in the political alignment of Minnesota and other traditionally blue states.
The Harris-Walz team has its work cut out, particularly in connecting with rural and suburban voters who feel left behind or unrepresented by Democratic policies. Issues such as economic concerns, inflation, and social policies resonate strongly with some voters, particularly those feeling the financial pressures of recent years. For the Democratic ticket, the challenge lies not only in defending policies but also in addressing a perceived disconnect with communities that have historically leaned Democratic.
As Election Day approaches, Minnesota’s potential to flip red looms larger, and political analysts are watching closely. Even if Trump does not secure Minnesota, a close result in what was once reliably blue territory would be notable, reflecting broader trends across the Midwest. Such an outcome would provide valuable insights for both major parties as they consider future campaigns and policy directions.
If Walz’s own neighbors are gravitating toward Trump, the ramifications for the Harris-Walz ticket could be profound. Alpha News’ report has amplified discussions about the surprising lack of support for Walz in Mankato and the potential vulnerability of Democrats in traditionally blue states. For now, this Minnesotan town’s apparent preference for Trump speaks volumes about the current political landscape and raises questions about whether Democratic support in similar regions could be slipping away.
As the campaign intensifies, both parties are aware of the stakes in battleground states like Minnesota, where even modest shifts in public opinion could shape the national outcome. Whether Trump’s appeal will be enough to overcome Minnesota’s blue-leaning history remains uncertain, but with the election just around the corner, this surprising tilt in Mankato has certainly added another layer of intrigue to an already heated race.
Watch the video below, this is amazing:
Don’t look now, but Minnesota Republicans are LEADING in early voting. 👀 pic.twitter.com/TrMhOkycu1
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) October 31, 2024
‘Don’t care for the man’: Alpha News finds frosty reception for Tim Walz in hometown pic.twitter.com/AfFysj93gT
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) October 30, 2024
