Alpha News recently took a trip to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, to gauge locals’ thoughts on their hometown political star, Governor Tim Walz. For the former Mankato high school football coach, who’s built a political brand out of bold claims and the occasional factual stretch, the news might not be quite what he’d hoped.
Starting off strong, a handful of residents immediately declared their support for Donald Trump in the 2024 election—a reaction Walz surely wouldn’t brag about on the campaign trail. “We’re both voting for Trump. It’s really the only option,” one local couple flatly stated to Alpha News reporter Liz Collin. That sentiment seemed to echo around the town, with even some previous non-Trump voters now pledging their support to the former president.
Doug Hitzemann, treasurer for the Blue Earth County Republicans, added his two cents, explaining the Trump momentum he’s seeing. “It’s almost a social event around here,” he chuckled. “People come in for signs, to chat, to share their excitement. It’s not exactly the vibe Tim Walz is drumming up.” Blue Earth County has leaned Democrat in the past, but Trump managed to flip it in 2016, and it appears the trend is holding strong for 2024.
According to Hitzemann, Walz’s influence on the Democratic ticket is lackluster at best. He wasn’t exactly a “wow” candidate himself, Hitzemann mused, and it’s doubtful he’s giving Harris any sort of boost. “When he’s in Mankato, he tries on this conservative costume,” Hitzemann pointed out. “Then he crosses the river, and—like clockwork—he’s back to his true colors. The folks here aren’t exactly charmed by the act.”
One of the biggest hints that Walz’s hometown appeal might be slipping came during a recent local football game where he made an appearance. Hitzemann noted that the crowd’s reaction was less than warm, with some audible boos from the stands. “A few players even wore Trump T-shirts,” he added, a not-so-subtle statement on where their loyalties lie. For the local GOP, the high cost of living, taxes, and everyday expenses are far bigger motivators than whatever Walz is selling.
It’s no secret that Minnesota’s tax burden is among the highest in the country, and that reality isn’t lost on Mankato’s residents. “This state is one of the most expensive to live in tax-wise,” Hitzemann remarked, adding that the effect has been enough to push some Minnesotans out altogether. “People are leaving the state,” he said. “That’s not a good long-term strategy.” Another resident, a father of young kids, echoed the economic concerns, citing high grocery prices and the cost of baby formula. “We’re in a crisis right now,” he said.
Then there are locals like one hardworking roofer, who shared a more personal frustration with how the state handles his tax dollars. “I’m putting in 60-hour weeks, and 45% of my paycheck vanishes to taxes,” he said. “They say they want to help the Hispanic community, but they’re funneling cash into Ukraine instead. I’m a Republican, and I think God is a Republican too. Times have definitely changed.”
Ultimately, when asked if Walz’s ties to Mankato held any real sway, one voter summed it up with refreshing bluntness: “Not even a little bit.” The takeaway? Walz might have been a local coach once upon a time, but it seems his political playbook isn’t winning him much hometown loyalty.
