> At a Glance
> – Gov. Tim Walz ends his 2026 re-election campaign after four months on the trail
> – He blames Trump allies for “playing politics” with child-care fraud probes
> – Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is weighing a gubernatorial run
> – Why it matters: The open race shakes up a key Midwest battleground as Republicans target the state
Less than four months after launching his bid for a third term, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz abruptly exited the 2026 governor’s race, saying he must focus on fighting child-care fraud instead of campaigning.
A Surprising Exit
Walz announced the decision Monday, arguing that “every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota.”
The Democratic vice-presidential nominee had cited ongoing fraud investigations in the state’s child-care programs as a central reason for stepping aside. He claimed that criminal groups and political actors are exploiting Minnesota’s generosity, forcing his administration to implement systemic safeguards.
The Fraud Fight
Walz’s administration says it has:
- Fired under-performing staff
- Cut off compromised funding streams with federal partners
- Hired a new program-integrity director
- Sent offenders to jail
He accused Donald Trump and Republican allies of weaponizing the crisis:
> “They want to poison our people against each other by attacking our neighbors.”
> Gov. Tim Walz
He also condemned GOP legislators for “playing hide-and-seek with whistleblowers” and far-right personalities for “breaking into daycare centers.”
Who’s Running Now
Democratic side: Sen. Amy Klobuchar is considering a bid but has not decided, according to a person close to her.
Republican field: Roughly a dozen candidates have entered, including:
- MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell
- House Speaker Lisa Demuth
- 2022 nominee Dr. Scott Jensen
- State Rep. Kristin Robbins
- Former federal prosecutor Chris Madel
- Former executive Kendall Qualls
- Ex-state GOP chair David Hann
Walz’s Tenure In Brief
- Won a second term by nearly 8 points in 2022
- Used emergency powers during COVID-19, angering Republicans
- Signed expansive abortion-rights protections and legalized recreational marijuana
- Delivered paid leave, child-tax credits, and free school meals
- Joined Kamala Harris‘s 2024 ticket after viral “weird” attack line on Trump-Vance
Key Takeaways
- Walz’s withdrawal creates an open-seat race in a state Trump narrowed to <5 points in 2024
- Republicans are tying fraud investigations to broader attacks on government spending
- A competitive DFL primary is likely if Klobuchar jumps in
- Walz pledges to serve out his term through January 2027 and fight fraud “24/7”
The governor insists he leaves the race with “zero sadness,” vowing that “Minnesota has to come first – always.”
