Tim Walz’s Own Hometown Voted for Trump

by
November 8, 2024
··

BLUE EARTH COUNTY, Minn. — You would think if a local guy was running for Vice President of the United States, the entire community would rally behind the hometown candidate.

That’s not what happened on Tuesday in Tim Walz’s hometown district.

President-elect Donald Trump narrowly won Blue Earth County, Minnesota, the longtime home of Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz, in a tight race that underscored a challenging night for Democrats in the 2024 presidential election.

Trump captured 49.6% of the vote in the county, edging out Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, Walz, who received 48.3%. The loss struck close to home for the Minnesota governor, who lived in Blue Earth County for 20 years and launched his political career there, representing the area in Congress for over a decade.

The result in Blue Earth County came as a symbolic blow to Walz, who had introduced himself to the nation in August at the Democratic National Convention as Harris’s running mate. Reflecting on his roots in the region, Walz shared stories of his time teaching social studies and coaching football at Mankato West High School, experiences he said fueled his passion for public service. “It was those players and my students that inspired me to run for Congress,” Walz said during his convention speech.

Walz’s political career began with a win in 2006, when he flipped a Republican seat to Democratic in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Blue Earth County. That success helped establish him as a popular figure in Minnesota politics, and he went on to win the state’s 2018 gubernatorial race by a double-digit margin, further cementing his reputation as a moderate with cross-party appeal.

But Tuesday’s results suggested a shift, as Trump’s narrow win in Blue Earth County reflected the broader struggles of the Democratic ticket across key areas. The county’s vote added to the challenges faced by Walz and Harris in a race where many traditionally Democratic regions appeared to lean more Republican than anticipated.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

As the founder of Shore News Network, Stilton oversees editorial operations, investigative reporting, and breaking news coverage while working closely with journalists, public officials, and community leaders. His reporting has covered municipal government, state politics, federal policy, public records investigations, emergency management, and major news events affecting local communities.

Stilton is committed to factual reporting, source verification, transparency, and providing readers with accessible, accurate information that helps them better understand the issues shaping their communities. Through Shore News Network, he continues to focus on delivering trusted news coverage and original reporting to audiences across New Jersey and beyond.

For story tips, corrections, or media inquiries, readers can contact Shore News Network through its official website and social media channels.