Why Tim Walz’ record on Covid-19 will be a hot-button issue in 2024

Following the announcement that Vice President Kamala Harris selected Tim Walz as her running mate, former President Trump’s campaign criticized Walz’s policies, particularly focusing on his Covid-19 response, which included extended stay-at-home orders and mask mandates in Minnesota. Click here for article.

• Covid-19 Policies: Walz extended a stay-at-home order and later issued a mask mandate in 2020, actions praised by public health officials but heavily criticized by Republicans and resulting in lawsuits.

• Political Divide: The Covid-19 response has remained a divisive issue, with Republicans accusing Democratic leaders of harmful policies and Trump vowing to cut funding to institutions that impose mask or vaccine mandates.

• Protests and Response: Walz faced criticism for his handling of anti-racism protests in Minneapolis, with accusations of delayed action leading to significant property damage.

• Health Outcomes: Minnesota had one of the lowest Covid-19 death rates and ranked highly on health outcomes, though assessments of the state's restrictive measures were mixed, with some conservative analyses offering less favorable evaluations.