Gov. Tim Walz won’t seek third term; fraud fallout and Trump attacks shape 2026 field
Gov. Tim Walz announced he will not seek a third term in 2026, reversing earlier intentions and saying 2025 has become "an extraordinarily difficult year" — citing a statewide fraud crisis and sustained political attacks from President Donald Trump and allies that he says have left him unable to mount a full campaign; Walz defended his administration’s fraud response, including seeking new legislative tools, firing staff, prosecuting offenders, cutting funding streams tied to criminal activity and hiring a statewide head of program integrity. His exit reshapes the 2026 race: Democrats have no clear frontrunner though Sen. Amy Klobuchar is reportedly considering a run (with Secretary of State Steve Simon also floated and Rep. Dean Phillips saying he won’t run), while a crowded GOP field — including House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, Rep. Kristin Robbins, Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, former Sen. Scott Jensen, Brad Kohler, Kendall Qualls, Jeff Johnson and Phillip Parrish — has already formed amid sharp reactions from DFL leaders blaming Trump-era attacks.
📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz announced he will not seek a third term in 2026, reversing his earlier stated intent to run again.
- Walz said 2025 will be an “extraordinarily difficult year,” citing a statewide fraud crisis and intensified political attacks — including from former President Donald Trump and his allies — and said he cannot give a campaign his full effort.
- He defended his administration’s response to the fraud cases, saying officials sought new tools from the Legislature, fired staff, prosecuted offenders, cut off funding streams where criminal activity was widespread, and hired a statewide head of program integrity.
- Walz’s withdrawal leaves no clear Democratic frontrunner: sources say U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is actively considering a run (and met with Walz before his announcement), Secretary of State Steve Simon is mentioned as a potential contender, while former Rep. Dean Phillips says he has 'no intention' to run.
- The Republican field is already crowded, with about 14 registered GOP gubernatorial candidates including House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, former Sen. Scott Jensen, Rep. Kristin Robbins, Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, and others.
- DFL leaders and Minnesota Democrats publicly praised Walz’s record and decision, framing it as putting people before politics and tying his choice to an unprecedented, coordinated political attack linked to national figures; some leaders referenced recent violent incidents in that framing.
- Local coverage frames Walz’s choice not to seek another term as potentially ending a long political career and provided retrospective context on his tenure — from his 2017 campaign and 2019 inauguration to the COVID-19 response, the George Floyd era unrest, and the Feeding Our Future payment suspension timeline.
📊 Relevant Data
The initial Somali refugees arrived in Minnesota in the early 1990s, fleeing civil war and famine in Somalia, with resettlement facilitated by voluntary agencies such as Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Charities.
Somali and Somali American Experiences in Minnesota | MNopedia — MNopedia
Minnesota's Somali population grew due to secondary migration from other states, attracted by employment opportunities, affordable housing, and established community networks.
History of Somalis in Minneapolis–Saint Paul - Wikipedia — Wikipedia
Somali Minnesotans have a poverty rate of 36% as of 2025, compared to the state average of 9%, contributing to vulnerabilities in social programs.
Minnesota's Somali community: 30 years of growth - FOX 9 — FOX 9
The overrepresentation of Somalis in Minnesota fraud cases is linked to relaxed oversight during COVID-19, community ties enabling collusion, and exploitation of program vulnerabilities in close-knit networks.
A Somali-American former investigator: why you're hearing about fraud in my community — Minnesota Reformer
Somali immigrants in Minnesota contribute approximately $500 million in annual income and pay $67 million in state and local taxes as of 2021.
Contrary to Trump's claims, Somalis add $8B to MN economy — Star Tribune
The migration of Somalis to Minnesota has led to socioeconomic disparities, with high poverty rates persisting despite economic contributions.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
Workforce participation among Somali Minnesotans has risen, with poverty levels dropping for younger generations as of 2025.
Somali Minnesotans drive economic growth, pay $67M taxes annually — KSTP
📰 Source Timeline (7)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- FOX 9 piece functions primarily as a chronological retrospective and does not materially add new facts beyond reiterating that Walz cites growing national criticism and pressure over fraud cases in deciding not to seek a third term.
- It recaps key milestones of Walz’s tenure (2017 campaign launch, 2019 inauguration, 2020 COVID emergency, George Floyd killing and riots, Feeding Our Future payment suspension timeline) but those underlying events and their political relevance were already known and largely encompassed in existing coverage.
- This piece frames Walz’s decision not to seek a third term as potentially ending his long political career, rather than just a strategic 2026 choice.
- It appears to provide additional career context/biography (length and trajectory of his political life) beyond the horse-race focus on the 2026 field and fraud fallout.
- It likely adds more retrospective detail on his tenure and legacy rather than substantially altering the earlier account of why he is not running or who is in the emerging field.
- Adds on-the-record reaction from Sen. Tina Smith, praising Walz’s decision as putting people before politics and framing Trump’s actions as an 'unprecedented and coordinated attack on Minnesota.'
- Adds public statement from Sen. Amy Klobuchar highlighting Walz’s legacy on free school meals, gun safety laws, and maintaining Minnesota’s AAA bond rating, and portraying his decision as focusing on governing rather than campaigning.
- Quotes Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy’s detailed statement linking Walz’s choice to an 'existential' threat from the Trump administration, referencing recent assassinations and the Annunciation Church murder, and explicitly calling out Minnesota Republicans for embracing or failing to oppose Trumpism.
- Introduces the Minnesota DFL’s initial reaction section (article is truncated but clearly begins to compile party leadership responses).
- Sources tell FOX 9 that Sen. Amy Klobuchar is actively considering a run for Minnesota governor and has received calls encouraging her to enter the race.
- Gov. Tim Walz met with Klobuchar on Sunday, the day before his withdrawal announcement, to discuss his political future, according to political insider Blois Olson.
- Olson also cites Secretary of State Steve Simon as another potential DFL contender for governor.
- FOX 9 notes there are already 14 registered GOP gubernatorial candidates, listing key names including House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, Scott Jensen, Chris Madel and Rep. Kristin Robbins.
- Klobuchar’s public statement on Walz’s announcement praises his record but pointedly avoids addressing her own intentions, aligning with sources’ description that she has not yet made a final decision.
- FOX 9 frames that, following Walz’s decision not to run, Democrats currently have no clear frontrunner because Walz had no named running mate and no Democratic challenger was in the race.
- Political insider Blois Olson is cited noting speculation that U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar may consider the race; Walz reportedly met with Klobuchar on Sunday before his announcement.
- Former U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips publicly stated he has 'no intention' to run for Minnesota governor or U.S. Senate, while offering to help 'common sense candidates.'
- The article enumerates a crowded Republican field: House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, Rep. Kristin Robbins, Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, former Sen. Scott Jensen, Brad Kohler, Kendall Qualls, Jeff Johnson, and Phillip Parrish are all running.
- Walz announced Monday he will not seek reelection to a third term in 2026, reversing his previously stated intent to run again.
- He frames 2025 as an “extraordinarily difficult year” and cites the fraud crisis and political attacks as context, saying he cannot give a campaign his full effort.
- Walz explicitly calls out President Donald Trump and allies for using fraud issues to, in his view, "make our state a colder, meaner place" and to undermine Minnesota’s social programs.
- He defends his administration’s fraud response, listing actions such as seeking new tools from the Legislature, firing staff, prosecuting offenders, cutting off funding streams with widespread criminal activity, and hiring a statewide head of program integrity.
- FOX 9 reports Walz has also been under pressure from Democratic colleagues to clarify his 2026 plans, and notes he will hold an 11 a.m. news conference to discuss the decision.