Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz rolls out ‘Small Town PAC' to rebuild Democrats' rural bench

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is launching his next political endeavor: a federal political action committee that will seek to recruit and support Democrats in rural communities nationwide.

Walz announced the creation of the Small Town PAC on Monday, saying he wants to help build a new pipeline of candidates rooted in the places Democrats have struggled to win in recent years.

"It's time for me to pass the baton and return the favor. And it's time for Democrats to expand the map," Walz said in a statement.

"I plan to find some teachers, some nurses, some laborers, vets, and young people in small towns across the country who can represent their communities better than Silicon Valley can," he added. "We need a new generation of elected leaders in this country - and lord knows the Democrats need some new faces. So let's go recruit some good people with energy and fresh ideas who actually understand small towns."

Walz, who has served two terms as governor and was the party's vice presidential nominee in 2024, told the Minnesota Star Tribune last month that he planned to play an active role in this year's midterm elections, particularly in governors' races. He serves as finance chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

But Walz faces a harsh political reality as he begins his new venture: His approval rating has plummeted in greater Minnesota in recent years.

A Star Tribune poll taken last June found at least 6 in 10 voters outside Hennepin and Ramsey counties disapproved of Walz's performance. Walz's total vote share in rural areas shrunk in his 2022 reelection bid and his run for vice president in 2024. His recent political victories have relied on turnout in the populous Twin Cities and its surrounding suburbs.

Some fellow Democrats have said they wished Walz would have spent more time in greater Minnesota in recent years.

Before he was elected governor, Walz represented southern Minnesota's largely rural 1st District in Congress. The district has since flipped Republican and is now represented by GOP U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad.

Walz, a gun owner and a former National Guard member, was viewed as more of a moderate during his time in Congress. But he took a progressive turn as governor, signing bills that codified abortion rights, legalized marijuana, created a state paid family and medical leave program and imposed certain firearm restrictions.

In his statement announcing his PAC, Walz lamented the closure of schools, clinics and grocery stores in some small towns. He lashed out at Republicans such as Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk.

"If people in small towns are pissed off or isolated, it's because venture capitalists and robber barons like Vance are gutting rural America," he said.

"The problem isn't your neighbor. It's all the tech bros and billionaires who pay to take turns cosplaying as your Congressman, your Senator, and your President."

A spokesperson for Vance hit back at Walz in a statement provided to Politico on Monday morning.

"The problem facing many small towns in Minnesota is that Tim Walz gives their money to fraudulent daycares," the spokesperson said, in a dig at Walz's handling of fraud in the state's social services programs.

Walz's term ends next January.

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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 2:25 PM.