Former Minnesota Bar Owner Calls Out Tim Walz’s COVID Policies That Forced Her Into Bankruptcy

Former Minnesota bar owner Lisa Zarza called out Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz early Tuesday for implementing COVID-19 policies as governor of the state that forced her into bankruptcy.

Zarza told Fox News’ Todd Piro that Walz, who is Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate on the 2024 Democrat ticket, left large stores like Target and Walmart open ahead of Black Friday while ordering small businesses to shut down as part of his COVID-era restrictions.

“He was looking out for the big people. He wasn’t looking out for the small businesses of Minnesota,” Zarza said. “He talks about being so small-minded for small business — that’s not who this man is.”

Zarza said her food and liquor licenses were revoked due to operating both of her restaurants in defiance of Walz’s orders. The former Minnesota business owner told Piro that she was fined $300,000 as well. (RELATED: ‘Very, Very Concerned’: Trump Recalls ‘Only’ Interaction With Kamala’s VP Pick On ‘Fox And Friends’)

“When I heard the news I started crying,” Zarza said, describing her reaction when she discovered Harris chose Walz as her running mate. “I thought I was maybe gonna have a heart attack. Not only did he destroy the state of Minnesota, but he was now gonna have a hand in destroying our country.”

“He doesn’t look out for the citizens. He doesn’t look out for us. He looks out for big corporations, the big stores — people feeding his pockets,” she continued. “That’s not who Tim Walz is. He’s not some local farmer from Minnesota.”

Walz’s COVID-19 policies included extensive stay-at-home orders, social distancing rules, mask mandates and a hotline for Minnesotans to report those who violated his restrictions. In May 2021, Walz first announced his months-long plan to lift these policies, according to CBS News.

Zarza said she has since bought a bar in Wisconsin.