Thirteen new governors — Republicans and Democrats alike — met with President Donald Trump Thursday. Notably absent? Minnesota’s Governor-elect Tim Walz.
The meeting, which included members of the president’s cabinet, covered a wide range of topics from infrastructure to the opioid crisis, and is a part of the administration’s efforts to reach out to state officials to “open lines of communication.”
Today, it was my honor to welcome our Nation’s newly elected Governors to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/LCpFIoRglp
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2018
According to Walz’s team, the incoming governor was too busy working on his new administration to attend the meeting.
“The governor-elect is in Minnesota building his incoming Administration and is unable to attend the meeting at the White House,” Walz’s spokesperson Kayla Castaneda said in a statement to media.
State Rep. Anne Neu (R-North Branch), incoming Deputy House Republican Leader was quick to voice her disappointment in Walz skipping the meeting, adding that she hopes Walz makes building a “productive working relationship” with the president a priority.
“Minnesota needs a strong relationship with our partners at the federal level—including President Trump—as we work on issues like health care, infrastructure, combating the opioid epidemic, public safety, and more,” Neu said in a statement. “I hope Governor-elect Walz will make it a priority to meet with President Trump in the near future and work to build a productive working relationship with the White House.”
Walz has also missed some key votes in Washington.
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