If Walz becomes Vice President, what happens in Minnesota?

Walz is Harris' running mate: What it means for Minnesota

"It puts Minnesota on the map again," said political science professor David Schultz on Tuesday after Gov. Tim Walz was named Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - After Vice President Kamala Harris announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will be her running mate as she seeks the presidential election in November, Minnesotans have begun to wonder - what happens in Minnesota if he is elected as part of the Democratic ticket?

The Minnesota Constitution prepares the state for the scenario, outlining the succession plan for the offices of both governor and lieutenant governor.

According to Article V, Section 5, if a vacancy occurs from any cause in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor becomes the governor. Currently, that would mean Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan would move into the role.

The last elected presiding officer of the Senate then becomes lieutenant governor. Currently, that would be Sen. Bobby Joe Champion – the president of the Minnesota Senate.

A presiding officer has become lieutenant governor in the past, most recently occurring in 2018. Prior to that, it had not happened since 1976.

Since Biden’s announcement, Minnesota leaders have nearly unanimously endorsed Harris as the party’s nomination.