Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, recently chosen by Kamala Harris as her running mate for the presidential election, has become the target of Republican attacks. His opponents quickly flooded social media with images of the burning buildings in Minneapolis following the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
The spotlight is now on Minneapolis, a city long overshadowed by bustling neighbors like Chicago, as it struggles with the lingering effects of the pandemic, riots, and crime. These challenges have overshadowed Minnesota’s otherwise strong economic performance under Walz.
Minneapolis’s population remains below pre-Covid levels, and downtown vacancy rates have surged to 24.7%, the highest since the late 1980s, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Target Corp., one of the city’s largest employers, only requires staff to be in the office one week every quarter. Not even government workers are fully back, hindering the downtown’s recovery.
“Office workers, more than in other cities, have chosen to work from home, partly due to a perceived lack of safety,” said Varadarajan Chari, a professor at the University of Minnesota and adviser at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve. “The riots following George Floyd’s murder devastated areas like Uptown, which haven’t recovered.”
As of last year, Minneapolis had 425,115 residents, down 1.1% from 2020, according to the US Census Bureau. Known for the Mall of America, State Fair, and its vibrant arts and sports scenes, Minneapolis was hit hard by the 2020 protests following Floyd’s death at the hands of police officers. High crime and tax rates have also driven migration away from the city, fueling Republican criticism of Walz, who became governor in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.
GOP Attacks
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise accused Walz of allowing rioters to burn Minneapolis. At a July rally, former President Donald Trump criticized Walz for his handling of the 2020 protests.
“When anarchists and looters threatened to burn down Minneapolis, I couldn’t get your governor to act,” said Trump, who has chosen Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate.
While Trump praised Walz’s handling of the protests at the time, Republicans now blame him for the violence. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had authority over the city, and Walz said there was a misunderstanding between him and the mayor about deploying the National Guard.
“Governor Walz deployed the National Guard to keep the city safe; Donald Trump did not,” Walz’s office said. Trump’s Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also praised Walz’s response.
Mayor Frey echoed Walz, stating that during one of the most challenging times for the city and state, they collectively navigated unprecedented circumstances.
Crime and Downtown Recovery
Concerns about crime in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have risen dramatically over the last five years, according to Chari. While some crime rates have decreased over the past year, many categories remain elevated from 2019 levels. Walz has prioritized public safety, advocating for the largest public safety budget in state history, with $300 million allocated specifically for cities and counties.
A recent ranking of pandemic recovery for 66 North American cities placed Minneapolis near the bottom. Adam Duininck, CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, is seeking ways to attract people and encourage local and state governments to have staff in offices more frequently.
Target requires corporate staffers to work at headquarters only one week per quarter, although foot traffic rose about 50% in 2023. Unlike New York, where in-office work is more strictly mandated, Minneapolis maintains a more relaxed approach. US Bancorp and Xcel Energy require three days a week in the office, while Thrivent allows flexible work arrangements.
State Finances and Political Impact
Despite the challenges in Minneapolis, the state of Minnesota has seen improved finances under Walz. In 2022, the state secured AAA ratings from all three credit rating agencies. The surplus enabled Walz to issue up to $1,300 to residents in 2023, known as Walz Checks. Minneapolis also holds two AAA ratings.
Strong finances have supported progressive policies such as new tax credits to reduce child poverty, free meals for students, and a state-paid family and medical leave program—initiatives Democrats hope will resonate with voters.
Walz’s popularity extends to Minnesota’s rural base, home to major agricultural companies like Cargill Inc., CHS Inc., and Land O’Lakes. Despite this, large cities often influence voter perceptions, especially those outside Minnesota.
Peter Frosch, CEO of Greater MSP, emphasized that Minneapolis offers quality jobs and affordable living. Entertainment and dining venues are performing better than office spaces, and the city is exploring converting empty towers into homes.
Looking Ahead
Governor Walz has been actively involved in revitalizing Minneapolis, including bringing conferences and conventions to the city. “It’s a part of his job that he takes very seriously,” said Duininck.
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