Democratic Sen. Klobuchar says she’s running for Minnesota governor after Gov. Walz dropped out

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced her candidacy for Minnesota governor in 2026 after current Governor Tim Walz withdrew his bid for a third term due to criticism over mismanagement of taxpayer funds. Klobuchar, a Democrat, aims to unify the state and challenge President Trump's policies, particularly his immigration crackdown, citing recent tragedies in Minnesota. Her announcement sets up a potentially high-profile race with multiple Republicans vying for their party's nomination, including Mike Lindell, Lisa Demuth, Scott Jensen, and Kristin Robbins. The election is expected to focus on issues such as immigration, fraud investigations into child care programs, and the role of the federal government in the state. Klobuchar is one of four sitting senators seeking a governorship in 2026.