Minnesota’s 2026 gubernatorial race is now wide open after current Democratic Gov. Tim Walz scrapped his reelection bid this week.
Walz, who took office in January 2019, announced that he was not seeking reelection on Monday, after his administration recently drew intense criticism over alleged fraud related to predominantly Somali-run operations in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. He said in part of his statement that he “can’t give a political campaign” his “all.”
Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is currently weighing a bid to replace Walz as governor, The New York Times (NYT) reported Monday, citing two anonymous sources familiar with conversations between the two politicians. On Sunday, Klobuchar and Walz held a meeting to speak about the gubernatorial race, the sources said, according to the NYT.
Klobuchar’s office did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Klobuchar said in a Monday afternoon post to X that Walz had “made the difficult decision to focus on his job and the challenges facing our state rather than campaigning and running for reelection.” The senator did not mention whether she intends to run in her state’s upcoming gubernatorial race in the X post.
“He [Walz] 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,” Klobuchar wrote in the social media post. “He is a true public servant.”
Some Democrats view Klobuchar as likely to clear the Democratic field if she decides to seek Minnesota’s governor’s mansion, The Hill reported on Monday. Still, Corey Day, a former executive director for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, told the outlet that “there’s still runway for folks to get in this race.”
Day also told The Hill he projects there would be “a pretty good competition amongst Democrats,” claiming his party already has “a pretty strong bench of candidates.”
Walz’s abrupt decision to end his reelection bid left little-known pastor Bill Gates Jr. as the only Democratic candidate in the race for the time being.
Gates, who is not related to the billionaire of the same name, declared his run for Minnesota governor in November 2025, pledging to “lead Minnesota into a stronger, more independent future.” His platform is focused on “economic innovation, educational opportunity, and a government that truly serves its people,” according to his campaign website.
“With filing deadlines still ahead, others may yet enter the race,” Gates said in part of a statement provided to the DCNF. “But as of today, I am the only Democrat who has formally stepped forward, and I take that responsibility seriously.”
“I’m not God, and no governor can control every outcome,” the pastor continued. “What I can offer is effort, honesty, and accountability — and a willingness to govern with compassion and common sense.”
Other potential Democrats eyeing running in the race to replace Walz as governor include Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, MinnPost reported on Monday.
Ellison’s office and Simon’s office each did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
Current Democratic Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan asserted in a post to X on Monday she is “focused on my race for U.S. Senate to ensure people can afford the lives they want to live.” She added that “we need leaders with the heart and compassion for people, and determination to take on [President] Donald Trump and his billionaire besties.”
Moreover, GOP candidates in Minnesota’s upcoming gubernatorial race include MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Kristin Robbins and Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, Politico reported on Monday.
The Republican Governors Association (RGA) said Monday in a statement in response to Walz forgoing his reelection bid that the Democratic governor’s “failed leadership is emblematic of Minnesota Democrats’ agenda.”
“After presiding over one of the biggest fraud scandals in history it’s no wonder that Tim Walz is being forced to drop his re-election bid,” the RGA said in the statement. “Walz’s failed leadership is emblematic of Minnesota Democrats’ agenda and whoever Democrats choose to replace Walz with at the top of the ticket will need to defend years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) wrote in a statement posted to X on Monday that “from fighting for the middle class and ensuring free school meals for students, to expanding affordable health care access and protecting reproductive rights — Gov. @Tim_Walz has delivered historic results for Minnesotans.”
Republican National Committee (RNC) Regional Communications Director Delanie Bomar said in a statement provided to the DCNF on Monday that “it’s been failure after failure for Tim Walz, so it’s no surprise he chickened out of running for re-election.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
