Sen. Amy Klobuchar is seriously considering a run for Minnesota governor following Gov. Tim Walz’s surprise announcement Monday that he will not seek a third term, opening up the race for the first time in eight years amid mounting pressure over state fraud scandals.
Sources close to Klobuchar told multiple news outlets that the four-term senator has received significant encouragement to run but has not made a final decision. Klobuchar met with Walz on Sunday, the day before he announced his decision to drop out of the race.
In a statement on social media Monday, Klobuchar praised Walz as a true public servant who made the difficult decision to focus on his job and the challenges facing the state rather than campaigning for reelection.
Klobuchar, 65, would be an instant frontrunner if she enters the race. She has won every election since 2006 with at least 56 percent of the vote, including a 65 percent victory in 2012. In 2024, she defeated Republican candidate Royce White by more than 15 percentage points, outperforming the Democratic presidential ticket by five percentage points.
The senator would not have to relinquish her Senate seat to run for governor but would have to resign if elected, leaving another open Senate seat besides the one created by Sen. Tina Smith’s retirement. If Klobuchar wins, she could appoint her own successor in the Senate, with a special election held later to complete the remainder of her term, which runs until 2030.
Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, announced his decision amid intense scrutiny over fraud in Minnesota’s social service programs, including Medicaid, food stamps and child care services. The Trump administration has frozen child care funding to the state and launched multiple investigations into state programs.
In his statement, Walz said he came to the conclusion that he couldn’t give a political campaign his all and that every minute spent defending his own political interests would be a minute he couldn’t spend defending Minnesota residents against criminals and cynics.
No Minnesota governor has been elected to a third consecutive term since the adoption of four-year terms in 1962. Republicans have not won a statewide race in Minnesota in 20 years, with the last GOP governor being Tim Pawlenty, who won in 2002 and 2006.
Other Democrats being mentioned as potential gubernatorial candidates include Attorney General Keith Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are currently running for Smith’s Senate seat and signaled no immediate change of plans following Walz’s announcement.
On the Republican side, the field includes House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, businessman Kendall Qualls, former gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer and U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber. Qualls won a recent GOP straw poll.
Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier said Klobuchar’s advantage is that she works in Washington and is far enough from the fraud issue that it won’t stick to her, making her a very electable candidate.
Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash quickly went on the attack, calling Klobuchar a career Washington politician who would bring the same failed, dysfunctional politics to Minnesota. He said she didn’t just stand by during the Walz years but cheered them on.
Former Rep. Dean Phillips, who ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat, said on social media that he will not run for governor.
If Klobuchar enters the race, it would close the door on potential runs for Senate Democratic whip or another presidential bid in 2028. Domain names including Klobucharforgovernor.com were registered following Walz’s announcement, fueling speculation about her intentions.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for August 2026, with the general election on Nov. 3.
