Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, after losing his bid for the vice presidency in November, is now facing the loss of Democrats' power in his home state as lawmakers start meeting in St. Paul this week.
Over the past two years, Democrats were in control of the State Legislature and the governorship, allowing liberal legislation to be passed on issues such as marijuana rules and abortion rights, but the party has lost its majority in the House and has a slight hold in the Senate, reports The New York Times.
Further, state budget officials in December warned that spending is likely to exceed revenues in the upcoming years, with a $5.1 billion deficit possible by 2028.
But under the leadership of the Democrats, the state had a $17.5 billion, and critics are questioning where the money has gone.
"It's going to be an arduous, hard, really tough session," Blois Olson, a political analyst and communications strategist in St. Paul commented.
Olson added that Walz's prospects of seeking a third term in 2026 will be low if he feels "beat up" after his return to state duties following his return from the national campaign trail.
Meanwhile, Walz was not seen at public events with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan after he returned from his vice presidential campaign. Reports about arguments over the preparations for succession for his job as governor, had he and Democrat nominee Vice President Kamala Harris won in November, also became public.
Walz, meanwhile, has said that he hasn't decided if he'll seek a third term in 2026, and there are signs that he might not partner again with Flanagan.
Meanwhile, the November election left the Statehouse evenly split, but after a judge determined that a newly elected Democrat did not meet residency requirements for his seat, that left Republicans with a one-seat majority until a special election is held.
House Democrats have said they will boycott the first few weeks of the session until a special election is held later this month to fill the empty seat.
Meanwhile, Democrats had been ready to hold a one-seat majority in the Senate, but the death of Sen. Kari Dziedzic in December left the chamber tied at 33-33, with one vacancy, reports Ballotpedia.
Another Democrat's seat is in question, with Sen. Nicole Mitchell to be tried later this month on a felony burglary charge. She pleaded not guilty in August after she was charged with allegedly breaking into her stepmother's home in April, according to The Minnesota Reformer.
Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, said Republicans will use their growing power to undermine Walz while waging "full-out political warfare."
Liberals are also questioning the slow rollout of recreational cannabis legislation. The governor's administration has not hired a permanent director for the Office of Cannabis Management, and it is not certain when dispensaries will open because the licensing procedure has faced legal challenges.
Minnesota Republicans say they are optimistic about their 2026 prospects, and they intend to blame Democrats for spending the state's surplus funds.
"Not only did they spend it all on these pet programs, which in our view is ridiculous, but they put us back into a deficit and raised our taxes. That is just unforgivable," said Alex Plechash, the new chair of the Minnesota Republican Party. "That is just unforgivable."