‘We Didn’t Agree To That’: Walz Blasted For Call To Eliminate Electoral College

Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz sparked a wave of backlash on Tuesday when he said at a California fundraiser that he’d like to see the Electoral College abolished in favor of a national popular vote.

Walz is the vice presidential candidate on the Democrats’ 2024 ticket — alongside default-presidential candidate Kamala Harris — and he made the comments at a fundraiser in Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) home.

“New: @Tim_Walz calls for eliminating the Electoral College during a fundraiser at Gavin Newsom’s private residence in Sacramento. ‘I think all of us know the electoral college needs to go,’ per a pool report. ‘We need national popular vote, but that’s not the world we live in,'” CNN’s Aaron Pellish reported.

New: @Tim_Walz calls for eliminating the Electoral College during a fundraiser at Gavin Newsom's private residence in Sacramento.

"I think all of us know the electoral college needs to go," per a pool report. "We need national popular vote, but that's not the world we live in."

— Aaron Pellish (@aaronpellish) October 8, 2024

Critics quickly pointed out that the Electoral College was hardly the only beef Walz had with the United States Constitution.

“Pack the court. Eliminate the EC. Trash the filibuster,” Washington Examiner writer David Harsanyi posted.

Pack the court. Eliminate the EC. Trash the filibuster. https://t.co/i2KEca8Isk

— David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) October 9, 2024

“The Supreme Court. The Senate. The First Amendment. And now the Electoral College. The list grows of American constitutional functions the Harris-Walz campaign want to destroy,” X user @sunnyright added.

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The Supreme Court.

The Senate.

The First Amendment.

And now the Electoral College.

The list grows of American constitutional functions the Harris-Walz campaign want to destroy. https://t.co/mVkvXL8GJF

— Sunny (@sunnyright) October 8, 2024

“In other words, Walz tells PA, WI, AZ, NC, GA to take a hike. This guy,” The Blaze’s Christopher Bedford said.

In other words, Walz tells PA, WI, AZ, NC, GA to take a hike. This guy. https://t.co/r8M3FtTXfU

— Christopher Bedford (@CBedfordDC) October 8, 2024

Radio host Larry O’Connor added, “Brainless Tim Walz just told the voters of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania that he wants to make their votes utterly meaningless in the future.”

Brainless Tim Walz just told the voters of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania that he wants to make their votes utterly meaningless in the future. https://t.co/5AY14WQ0ZP

— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) October 9, 2024

“Oh. Well, we didn’t agree to that when forming the Union so no,” Townhall’s Kurt Schlicter replied.

Oh. Well, we didn't agree to that when forming the Union so no. https://t.co/upNH2Z5DSL

— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) October 8, 2024

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign noted that his 2016 rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, had issued a similar statement just after she won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College.

“Tampon Tim already setting the stage to delegitimize President Trump’s victory in November. Where have we seen this before?” the campaign asked.

Tampon Tim already setting the stage to delegitimize President Trump’s victory in November.

Where have we seen this before? ???? https://t.co/VXbQrEmJ8u pic.twitter.com/umz3DkD2Qw

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 8, 2024

“The electoral college requires more than just regional density to win. It requires a geographical balance. This forces politicians to come to the middle on policy proposals,” The Federalist correspondent Brianna Lyman explained.

The electoral college requires more than just regional density to win. It requires a geographical balance.

This forces politicians to come to the middle on policy proposals https://t.co/XaP2zu6aWY

— Brianna Lyman (@briannalyman2) October 9, 2024

“1) Walz opposes many parts of the Constitution: the 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, Supreme Court, Electoral College. 2) He’s making excuses in advance & writing their campaign obituary. 3) He’s laying the groundwork to question and undermine Trump’s upcoming victory,” author Tim Murtaugh added.

1) Walz opposes many parts of the Constitution: the 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, Supreme Court, Electoral College.

2) He’s making excuses in advance & writing their campaign obituary.

3) He’s laying the groundwork to question and undermine Trump’s upcoming victory. https://t.co/ktoXIM8I5x

— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) October 8, 2024

The backlash was so swift that within just a few hours, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign team had already issued a statement disavowing Walz’s comments.

“Gov. Walz’s call for eliminating the Electoral College is not an official campaign position, a Harris campaign official told CNN,” Pellish reported.

Gov. Walz's call for eliminating the Electoral College is not an official campaign position, a Harris campaign official told CNN. https://t.co/Raj146YqFC

— Aaron Pellish (@aaronpellish) October 9, 2024