In an emotional speech at Eagan High School in his home state of Minnesota on Friday, Gov. Tim Walz (D) acknowledged the long road ahead after former President Donald Trump was reelected this week.

“It’s hard to lose,” Walz said. “It’s hard to understand why so many of our fellow citizens — so many people that we have fought so long and hard for — have chosen another path. It’s hard to reckon what that path feels like in the next four years. So if you’re feeling deflated, discouraged today, I get it. Take some time, take care of yourselves, take care of your loved ones, take care of your community.”

Walz encouraged his supporters to get back to work once the grief over Vice President Kamala Harris’ election loss has dampened.

“Get back in this fight when you’re ready,” Walz said. “And know whenever you’re ready to get back in that fight, I’ll be standing right here, ready to fight the fight with you.”

In his speech, Walz said he was grateful to have been chosen as Harris’ vice presidential pick, and acknowledged the hard road ahead.

“Look, we know what’s coming down the pike,” Walz said — an apparent reference to Project 2025, the far-right policy plan that under the next Trump administration may come to fruition.

“We know it because they told us,” Walz said. “And we’re going to have to be ready to defend the progress we’ve made here in Minnesota.”

As the state’s governor, Walz said he’ll keep fighting for his constituents.

“I love this country, I love this state, I love this job, and I’m not done fighting for Minnesota by a long shot,” he said.