[ST. PAUL, MN] Tonight from his home in St. Paul, Governor Tim Walz gave his second State of the State speech. In the speech Governor Walz recognized the new reality facing Minnesotans as COVID-19 disrupts their everyday lives. A reality that far exceeds Minnesota’s harshest winters. As Governor Walz pointed out, Minnesotans are resilient people with a deep reserve of courage, optimism, and grit. While there’s no stopping the storm of COVID-19 from hitting Minnesota, we are preparing for it.

What Minnesotans around the state are saying:

Attorney General Keith Ellison
.@GovTimWalz testified to MN’s spirit. The crisis is coming: we’re meeting the challenge. We’re in for a long winter: we’ll get through it together like we always do. We’ll grieve what we lost: we’ll celebrate what was given to us. I agree. #MnSOTS

Minnesota Nurses Association
@GovTimWalz knows nurses are critical to the recovery and health of Minnesotans battling the COVID crisis. MNA nurses thank him for making their safety a top priority, searching for all the PPE we can find, and protecting them with stay at home orders. This is leadership. #MNSOTS

Minnesota Hospital Association
“We thank the governor for issuing his stay-at-home order and for working in close collaboration with the health care systems across Minnesota. Minnesota is fortunate to have strong leaders who are following the science of COVID-19 and putting the lives of Minnesotans at the center of their decision-making.”

Kahin Abdirahman, owner of Afro Deli
“We are fortunate to have Tim Walz leading our state at this critical juncture. As a small business owner I’m grateful to have a partner in the Governor’s Office doing everything they can to help us during this challenging time.”

Jonathan Weinhagen, President, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
“Unprecedented times require clear, calm and thoughtful leadership. In his State of the State Address, Governor Walz showed once again he has a strong moral compass and puts the best interests of Minnesotans first. His experience as a teacher, coach and National Guard Command Sergeant Major helped prepare him for this battle. Our business community greatly appreciates that he’s leading the charge for our state.”

Chris Parsons, President, Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters
“On behalf of the firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers we represent, the MPFF would like to thank Governor Walz for his thoughtful, compassionate, and steady leadership during this COVID-19 pandemic.”

Emily Larson, Mayor of Duluth

“I am proud to be a MN, where we take our social responsibilities and public health seriously, and we elect people who do, too. Gov Walz is providing steady, sound leadership at a time when we need it most. I trust our ability to weather this global pandemic aligned as the One Minnesota he set out to help us create.”

Ben Schierer, Mayor of Fergus Falls
“Thank you Governor Tim Walz for your steady leadership as we navigate this crisis together! Every day, I hear from Minnesotans of all political persuasions that they are comforted by the calm, steadfast and decisive leadership that you and Lt. Gov. Flangan have provided. We will get through this by being One Minnesota.”

Michael Noble, Executive Director and CEO, Fresh Energy

“Minnesota is so fortunate to have a steady hand on the wheel.”

Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota
“Minnesota’s Infrastructure Union is grateful to Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan and the Minnesota Legislature for their leadership and for keeping Minnesotans safe and healthy. We’re all in this together with our friends and neighbors, including our 28,000 LIUNA members and family members, and all of our fellow working Minnesotans.”

Julie Bleyhl, Executive Director, AFSCME Council 5, AFL-CIO
“Governor Walz, thank you and the Administration for leading the nation to protect workers and all Minnesotans during this unprecedented crisis.”

Jamie Gulley, President of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and SEIU Minnesota State Council
“It has been great having the strong, smart leadership of Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan as we navigate our way forward through this crisis and work to make sure those caring for us are getting cared for too. Minnesota is lucky to have such strong leadership and we remain committed to working closely with this administration to make sure we get through this crisis and tackle the fallout from COVID-19 in a way that makes sure all Minnesota families – no exceptions – are able to be safe and healthy."

State. Rep. Hunter Cantrell
@GovTimWalz giving the #mnsots. He understands the challenges we are all facing individually and as a state. We will overcome this together. #StayHomeMN

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy
“In a time of crisis and uncertainty, Governor Tim Walz is showing the swift and decisive leadership that Minnesotans need right now. Since declaring a state emergency three weeks ago, Governor Walz has moved quickly to support frontline worker safety and provide much-needed economic security to Minnesotans who have been abruptly laid off or faced reduced work hours.”

State Rep. Rob Ecklund
“Our Governor was terrific this evening. Calm, encouraging, and inspiring. Thank you for your leadership!”

State Senator Jeff Hayden
Unity, Humanity, and Gratitude. This is what will get us through these unprecedented times. Thank you, @GovTimWalz for your incredible leadership. #mnsots

Denise Specht, Education Minnesota President, American Federation of Teachers Vice President
Thank you @GovTimWalz for speaking tonight as a parent and teacher to the children and families of Minnesota. This is a very serious, but uplifting state of the state by @GovTimWalz tonight. We know our mission for today, and a new day will come. #MNSOTS

TakeAction MN
We get through this crisis together or not at all. @GovTimWalz's message is right on - hopeful, unifying & resolute in facing the #COVID19 public health crisis. #MNSOTS

Kim Norton, Mayor of Rochester
“Thank you for a serious, but uplifting message tonight, Governor Walz. Your strong leadership is needed and important in this moment.”