Minnesota’s economy is in the spotlight as Walz readies for the DNC
CNN
When Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, the national spotlight fell on the North Star State.
When Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, the national spotlight fell on the North Star State. Upper Midwest culture and cuisine turned into lighthearted talking points for the talking heads: the long-winded “Minnesota Goodbyes”; the duality of “Minnesota Nice”; and the prevalence of pop, tater tot hotdishes and Ju(i)cy Lucys (that’s soda, casseroles, and variantly spelled cheese-filled burgers for those who have yet to visit). Heck, even Sweet Martha’s overflowing pail of cookies (a State Fair staple) got a shout-out on “The Daily Show.” All the Minnesota niceties aside, Walz’s elevation means his state’s economic performance is now front and center in an election where the cost of living and the stability of the job market are getting heavy play. Here’s a snapshot of the Minnesota economy and its future trajectory: In 2023, the state’s real gross domestic product — the broadest measure of economic activity — increased just 1.2%, placing it 45th among all states (only Georgia, Mississippi, New York, Wisconsin and Delaware fared worse), Commerce Department data shows. The US grew at more than double Minnesota’s rate.
