Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz abruptly reversed course Monday and ended his campaign for a third term, a humbling political crash from his meteoric rise to the national Democratic presidential ticket in 2024.
Walz announced his intention to leave the race ahead of a scheduled 11 a.m. Capitol news conference, after having private conversations with leading Democratic figures in recent days.
“I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work,” Walz said in a statement. “I know this news may come as a surprise. But I’m passing on the race with zero sadness and zero regret. After all, I didn’t run for this job so I could have this job. I ran for this job so I could do this job. Minnesota faces an enormous challenge this year. And I refuse to spend even one minute of 2026 doing anything other than rising to meet the moment. Minnesota has to come first — always.”
The race to replace him as the Democratic nominee will start immediately, but a lot of eyes are on U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a powerhouse who has won four Senate terms with runaway margins.
MPR News will carry the 11 a.m. news conference live on the radio and on MPRNews.org.
Walz, 61, was seeking an unprecedented third four-year term. He kicked off the campaign at a rally in Minneapolis in September and has amassed millions in his campaign account.
But he has been dogged in recent months by staggering reports of fraud in state-run social service programs. While the governor had frozen some at-risk funding and stepped up efforts to detect fraud sooner, the near-daily drip of fraud allegations — which escalated in the past couple weeks — had consumed the political discussion.
More than a dozen Republicans entered the governor’s race, sensing vulnerability for Walz despite his comfortable wins in 2018 and 2022. It was a turnabout for Walz, who built himself into a national figure by touting Democratic accomplishments in his state on his watch. During a summer shakeup for Democrats that led to President Joe Biden ending his reelection campaign in 2024, Walz landed the vice presidential nomination under Kamala Harris.
But that increased stature brought him greater scrutiny and made him an attractive target of conservatives.
That included President Donald Trump, whose own efforts to weaken Walz intensified lately. In recent weeks, Trump pushed his agencies to investigate Minnesota on multiple fronts and threatened to withhold money for day care, nutrition and transportation programs if the governor’s administration didn’t bend to data demands or policy changes.
Trump also circulated baseless claims over the weekend that Walz had a role in the assassination of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman, which drew sharp backlash and a call by Hortman’s children for a presidential apology.
What’s next for Walz isn’t immediately clear. He served six terms in Congress before winning the governor’s office. He formerly taught high school civics in Mankato prior to his entry into politics, which began with an upset win in southern Minnesota over a Republican incumbent as voters soured on the Iraq war.
Both parties will hold endorsing conventions in May, but could need August primaries to determine their nominees. The filing period for governor and other races closes in early June.
Klobuchar considering run
A source close to Klobuchar told MPR News on Monday that she is seriously considering a run for Minnesota governor amid signs that Walz will exit the race.
The official who spoke only on the condition of anonymity said Klobuchar, a four-term senator, is fielding calls encouraging her to run.
Klobuchar has won all of her statewide races with ease, is a prolific fundraiser and has a background as a prosecutor. That last part matters given the attention paid to fraud in the campaign and steps to hold scammers accountable.
Candidates have until June to file in the race and Klobuchar could face competition for the DFL nomination if she runs.
Walz last appeared before reporters on Dec. 23 at an event warning about fallout from continuing immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. Days earlier, he disputed a prosecutor’s estimate that fraud cases during his tenure could eventually reach into the billions of dollars.
Touting Democratic accomplishments in Minnesota, Walz built himself into a national figure. During a summer shakeup for Democrats that led to President Joe Biden ending his reelection campaign in 2024, Walz landed the vice presidential nomination under Kamala Harris.
But that increased stature brought him greater scrutiny and made him an attractive target of conservatives.
President Donald Trump and administration allies have intensified their efforts to weaken Walz. In recent weeks, Trump pushed his agencies to investigate Minnesota on multiple fronts and threatened to withhold money for daycare, nutrition and transportation programs if the governor’s administration didn’t bend to data demands or policy changes.
Trump also circulated baseless claims over the weekend that Walz had a role in the assassination of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman, which drew sharp backlash and a call by the Hortman children for a presidential apology.
Democratic Governors Association Chair Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky released the following statement in response to Walz’s decision:
“Governor Tim Walz has been a true leader who has delivered results that will make life better for Minnesota workers and families for years to come. He’s been a national leader in fighting for the middle class, ensuring free school meals, investing in public schools, and expanding access to affordable health care. As DGA Chair he helped grow our historic momentum and lay the foundation for big wins over the last two years. Above all, as a veteran, educator, coach and member of Congress, he’s also a great example of a public servant always working hard for the people of his state. No matter who decides to run or how much national Republicans want to spend, the DGA remains very confident Minnesotans will elect another strong Democratic governor this November.”