Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat and Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election that Donald J. Trump ultimately won, announced January 5 that he will not seek a third term this year. 

Walz’s announcement comes at a turbulent moment for Minnesota.

The Minnesota House was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans until the political assassination of Melissa Hortman. 

Now, the Walz administration is locked in a high-profile legal and political battle with the Trump administration over allegations of fraud tied to federal pandemic relief programs. 

Governor Walz’s willingness to give up his power is rare among politicians. However, it has happened in Minnesota before, when Gov. Al Quie announced he would not run for reelection in January 1982. In both cases, the timing left enough time for a meaningful contest. 

It might even raise an intriguing question: Could the state that once elected Jesse Ventura as governor be ready to unify behind an independent candidate? Could that independent candidate help heal the state’s political wounds and reflect its finely balanced politics? 

In 1998, former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura stunned the political world by winning the governor’s race as a Reform Party candidate. 

Ventura’s blend of populism, fiscal restraint, and anti-establishment rhetoric deeply resonated with Minnesotans who felt alienated by partisan politics. 

Independent registration has only grown, and voter disgust with partisanship has deepened. 

History rarely repeats neatly, and Minnesota probably won’t see another former Navy SEAL and pro wrestler running the state. But as voters look past the Walz era, it’s easy to imagine some unconventional names sparking curiosity.

Chris Pratt, the Guardians of the Galaxy star from northeastern Minnesota, married into politics as the son-in-law of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. He has an independent streak and a kind of plainspoken charisma that plays well across partisan divides.

Then there’s Lindsey Vonn, the St. Paul–born Olympic champion with national name recognition and a famously competitive drive. On December 12, Vonn became the oldest downhill skiing World Cup winner in St. Moritz at the age of 41, claiming her 83rd World Cup win and her first since 2018.

As Minnesotans seek healing from political violence and reposition for a post-Walz era, could an independent once again capture the public’s imagination and win an election to lead the state?