A viral post shared on Facebook claims Minnesota Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has been promoted since Gov. Tim Walz is campaigning in the 2024 election as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.

Verdict: False

The claim is false. Two Minnesota-based constitutional law experts denied the claim in respective emails to Check Your Fact.

Fact Check:

A new YouGov survey found that 35% of Americans think Walz is a “good pick” or the “best possible pick” to be Harris’ 2024 running mate, according to The Hill. The same survey indicates that 16% of Americans feel Walz is a “bad pick” or the “worst possible pick,” the outlet reported.

“Tim Walz’s nomination for Kamala Harris’ running mate, means that Peggy Flanagan became Minnesota’s new governor, the first Native American governor in U.S. history. In U.S. HISTORY. In 248 years we’ve never had a Native American governor,” the Facebook post, which has received over 3,000 likes as of writing, reads. The post does not provide a source to support its claim.

The claim is false. According to an August 6 article from ABC7 Chicago, Flanagan would only become the first Native American woman to serve as governor if Harris and Walz win the election. A Harris-Walz victory would cause Walz to resign from his role as governor and Flanagan to “take over the position,” the outlet reported, citing Minnesota’s Constitution. (RELATED: Here’s What We Know About Kamala Harris’ Stance On Defunding The Police)

Article 5, Section 5 of Minnesota’s Constitution states the lieutenant governor will be promoted to governor in the event of a “vacancy.” “In case a vacancy occurs from any cause whatever in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor shall be governor during such vacancy,” the same section reads.

Likewise, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports suggesting Flanagan has become the governor of Minnesota now that Walz is campaigning as Harris’ 2024 running mate. Actually, the opposite is true. On August 6, USA Today reported the claim was false.

In addition, Walz’s office has not publicly commented on the claim.

Furthermore, two Minnesota-based constitutional law experts denied the claim in respective emails to Check Your Fact.

Jill Hasday, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, said Walz “does not need to resign” in order to run with Harris.

“Minnesota Governor Tim Walz does not need to resign to become Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election.  He has not resigned and remains Minnesota’s governor,” Hasday said.

Jason Marisam, an associate professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, reiterated that the lieutenant governor becomes governor following a vacancy.

“Under Minnesota law, Minnesota statutes section 4.06, the Lt. Gov. becomes governor after there is a vacancy. There is not yet a vacancy for governor. While the governor cannot hold two offices at once (governor and VP), I am not aware of any provision of Minnesota law that requires the governor to resign his position to run for another office. Also, in the past, Minnesota officeholders have not resigned to run for another office,” Marisam explained.

Check Your Fact has also contacted Walz’s office for comment.