Tim Walz Will Not Seek Reelection

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will not seek reelection, he announced Monday.

The governor, who had previously said he would run for a third term, said in a statement that over the holidays, he “came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all.”

A federal investigation into alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social services system has increased pressure on Walz’s reelection bid. Federal prosecutors charged dozens of people, most of Somali descent, with felonies, saying they stole hundreds of millions of dollars from a government program created to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walz’s statement focused on the fraud scheme embroiling his state. He wrote that “Republicans are playing politics with the future of our state. And it’s shameful.” He decided to step out of the race and “let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”

The Trump administration froze federal funding for child care in the state. President Donald Trump has also targeted Somali immigrants in response to the investigation, making racist remarks toward them. The administration also began an ICE operation focused on the population in December.

Walz has not been accused of any wrongdoing, though Republicans have seized the chance to blame the Democratic governor for the widespread fraud.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar is considering running for governor, first reported by Politico and confirmed by NOTUS. A source close to the senator said that people have been encouraging Klobuchar to run, but she has yet to make a final decision.

Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow, is running for the Republican ticket.