Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has formally entered the 2026 race for Minnesota governor, stepping in just days after Gov. Tim Walz abruptly abandoned his re-election bid amid mounting political fallout tied to a sweeping fraud scandal.
Klobuchar, who was re-elected to a fourth Senate term just 15 months ago, launched her campaign with a social media video that leaned into Minnesota’s clash with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement.
“These times call for leaders who can stand up and not be rubber stamps of this administration, but who are also willing to find common ground and fix things in our state,” Klobuchar said.
Her announcement comes as Minnesota remains under intense national scrutiny.
The state is grappling with what prosecutors have described as the largest pandemic-era fraud scheme in the country, while also serving as ground zero for protests tied to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations.
Two anti-ICE activists were fatally shot by federal agents while interfering in immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
The deaths have triggered highly coordinated protests linked to deportation activity, further escalating tensions.
Klobuchar’s entry gives Democrats a well-known and well-funded candidate as they seek to hold the governor’s office while Republicans attempt to break a two-decade losing streak in statewide races.
Her move had been widely anticipated after she quietly filed preliminary paperwork with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board earlier this month.
Democrat sources said she was urged to run almost immediately after Walz dropped his bid for a third term.
The senator has won all four of her Senate races by comfortable margins, including a nearly 16-point victory in 2024.
Her path to higher Senate leadership, however, has been limited, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remaining in place and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) positioned to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) as whip.
Walz’s political collapse unfolded rapidly. After launching his re-election campaign in September, he faced heavy criticism in December as details emerged about extensive fraud tied to meal programs, housing assistance, daycare centers, and Medicaid services.
Since 2022, more than 90 individuals have been charged, many from Minnesota’s Somali community.
Federal prosecutors estimate losses could exceed $1 billion, with some estimates reaching as high as $9 billion.
“This is on my watch, I am accountable for this and, more importantly, I am the one that will fix it,” Walz said in December.
He later rejected calls to resign, telling reporters:
“Over my dead body will that happen.”
Republicans have centered the scandal in their 2026 messaging, with nearly a dozen GOP candidates seeking the nomination.
The race has been complicated, however, by backlash surrounding federal immigration operations and the recent shootings.
Despite the changing political landscape, Minnesota Republicans say the fraud issue remains decisive.
“Four weeks ago, I would have told you Republicans were going to do incredibly well statewide in Minnesota, and now I have a lot of questions,” GOP strategist Amy Koch said.
Democrats, meanwhile, are betting Klobuchar can stabilize the party’s position and keep the governor’s mansion in Democrat hands as Minnesota’s record on governance faces heightened scrutiny.
READ MORE – Joe Rogan Sounds Alarm as Minnesota’s ‘Ungodly’ Fraud Buried by ‘Very Coordinated’ Riots
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