NewsNation

Will Biden-Trump debate impact state gubernatorial elections?

(NewsNation) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will hit the debate stage Thursday in what could be the most consequential presidential debate in decades.

As the two candidates prepare for the faceoff, the impact of the contest is likely to be felt in down-ballot elections for local and state races.


Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who serves as the chairman of the Democratic Governor’s Association, joined NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” to discuss what role his home state will play in the presidential election, as well as other important gubernatorial elections happening around the country.

“We know that this is always going to be a hard race. Minnesota is a, you know, we’re a Great Plains state out here. We’re an agricultural state. We’ve got a mix of urban and rural. I think we’re a microcosm of America,” Walz said.

“When Joe comes out here, he delivers jobs and infrastructure projects, and when the former president comes out, he delivers grievance, and if you want to win a swing state, you got to be offering something to voters, and I don’t think he’s doing that by just saying he’s gonna win,” Walz added.

Meanwhile, North Carolina, Montana, and West Virginia are among the states having important races for governor as the presidential election heats up.