Sen. Amy Klobuchar is said to be seriously considering a run for Minnesota governor now that incumbent Gov. Tim Walz has abruptly decided to bow out of the race.
While it’s unclear when she will make a final decision on whether to run, the four-term senator is believed to have been getting some encouragement to jump into the race to succeed Walz (D), who dropped out amid a firestorm over a massive welfare fraud scandal that ensued under his watch.
“Governor Walz made the difficult decision to focus on his job and the challenges facing our state rather than campaigning and running for reelection,” Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said in response to Walz’s announcement.
“He has always dedicated his career to delivering for Minnesota — from providing school breakfast and lunches to our kids to passing gun safety legislation to maintaining our state’s AAA bond rating. He is a true public servant.”
Before publicly announcing his shocking decision, Walz had privately met with Klobuchar on Sunday, CNN reported. Details of their discussion aren’t clear.
Walz had launched his reelection bid last September, seeking to become the first incumbent Minnesota governor to notch a third consecutive term since terms were expanded to four years in 1963.
But on Monday, Walz, former Vice President Kamala Harris’ veep pick in the 2024 race, abruptly withdrew.
“As I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all,” he said in a statement.
“Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences.”
Here’s the latest on the Minnesota fraud scheme:
The decision came as prosecutors have slapped charges against roughly 90 individuals for swindling Minnesota taxpayers.
While estimates of the total theft vary, it is thought to be at least $1 billion, with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson claiming late last year that the fraud could be $9 billion or more.
The swindling of taxpayer dollars was largely perpetrated by members of Minnesota’s Somali population, where people set up bogus nonprofits to get state funding to provide services to the homeless, hungry, and individuals in need of daycare for their children.
The Trump administration has stepped up scrutiny of Minnesota in response. More charges over the sweeping Minnesota fraud scandal are expected in the coming weeks.
Seemingly clearing the way for a Klobuchar bid for governor, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan confirmed that she intends to remain in her race to succeed retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), rather than vie for governor.
“Since his time as a teacher, Governor Walz has led with decency and compassion,” she said in a statement. “Today’s decision reflects who he has always been — someone who puts Minnesotans first.”
“I am proud to call him a friend and proud of all the work that has been done to make Minnesota the best place to raise a family.”
Prior to her ascension to the Senate in 2007, Klobuchar served as the County Attorney of Hennepin County. She also vied unsuccessfully for the Democratic nod for president in 2020.
If she were to enter the gubernatorial race, Klobuchar would join three of her Senate peers in running for governor: Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Michael Bennet (D-Col.)
Klobuchar has won all of her Senate bids by double digits.
