Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expressed doubt on Sunday that his party will retake the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.
Walz admitted while speaking at a forum at Harvard University’s Kennedy School Institute of Politics that he was “very pessimistic” about the Democrats’ prospects of winning back the Senate in 2026. Still, he expressed optimism about the party’s chances of retaking the House in the midterms.
“I think we will take back the House,” Walz said. “I am very pessimistic about the Senate, just to be honest with you.”
“With the way things work, I think it’s a very difficult look,” the 2024 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee added.
Walz went on to say that the way the party’s brand is viewed nationally could impact Democratic candidates in state-level races.
“The thing was, is being associated with national parties and things on these state races, we’re going to have to figure that piece out of, how do we reimagine,” the Minnesota Democrat said. (RELATED: Tim Walz Diagnoses His Party’s Sad State: We Aren’t Selling Policies Voters Hate Hard Enough)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 10: Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks during a campaign rally with his running mate, Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, at the University of Las Vegas Thomas & Mack Center on August 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Walz’s comments come as the Democratic Party seeks to take back control of Congress in the 2026 midterms. Several recent polls show the party’s declining approval ratings as Democrats attempt to revamp their messaging after the GOP’s significant wins in the 2024 election cycle.
Walz also sniped at President Donald Trump, claiming his second term in office has been marked by “100 days of destruction.”
“I think there’s a lot of wind at our back, but it’s been 100 days of destruction,” Walz said. “You think we can survive 550 more? That’s the real challenge. That’s how long it is ’til the midterm.”
While Walz is considering a reelection bid to serve a third term as governor, he has also signaled interest in making a bid for the White House in 2028. He told The New Yorker in a March 2 interview that he would consider running for president in 2028 if the situation was right and he had the right “skill set.”
Walz’s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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