Klobuchar will run for Minnesota governor after Walz ends bid. Democratic senator is a Trump critic

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday her candidacy for governor of Minnesota, stepping into a race that has been upended by incumbent Tim Walz’s recent withdrawal from seeking a third term.

“Minnesota, we’ve been through a lot,” Klobuchar said in her video announcement. “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, a four-term Democratic senator, enters the contest as Minnesota faces significant challenges, including contentious immigration enforcement actions by the Trump administration that have drawn national attention. Her announcement highlighted a series of crises that have rocked the state, including the killing of two Minnesotans by federal officers, the assassination of a state legislative leader, and a school shooting that claimed multiple children’s lives.

The gubernatorial race in Minnesota is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched among the 36 governorships on the ballot this November. Klobuchar’s decision gives Democrats a high-profile candidate with proven statewide appeal at a time when the party is fighting to retain control of the office.

On the Republican side, several candidates are already campaigning, including MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, a vocal Trump supporter and 2020 election denier; state House Speaker Lisa Demuth; former state senator Dr. Scott Jensen, who was the party’s 2022 gubernatorial candidate; and state Representative Kristin Robbins.

Running for governor represents a strategic move for Klobuchar. Her Senate seat, which isn’t up for reelection until 2030, provides a safety net should her gubernatorial bid prove unsuccessful. If victorious, either she or Walz would appoint someone to fill the resulting Senate vacancy, depending on when she resigns. A special election would later be held to complete her term.

The Minnesota race will likely serve as a referendum on Trump’s immigration policies. Federal enforcement actions in the state have become increasingly controversial, with agents reportedly detaining U.S. citizens, entering homes without warrants, and engaging in violent confrontations with protesters. Two recent fatal shootings by federal officers have intensified scrutiny: Renee Good was killed in early January by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, and ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot during an encounter with federal officers just last Saturday.

Republicans are expected to focus on the federal investigation into Minnesota’s child care programs, particularly within the Somali community. Trump has repeatedly alleged widespread fraud in state government and his administration is conducting multiple investigations of state officials, including Walz. The Democratic governor has maintained that his administration has properly investigated, reduced, and prosecuted fraud.

Demuth quickly released a video and website attacking Klobuchar, claiming she “cannot be trusted to end the fraud in public programs or curb the growth of government” and would represent “nothing more than a third term of Tim Walz.”

Klobuchar’s electoral history demonstrates her ability to win across Minnesota. She secured her fourth Senate term in 2024 by nearly 16 percentage points, outperforming Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris by approximately 135,000 votes in the state. Harris won Minnesota by fewer than 5 percentage points over Trump.

The senator gained national prominence during Trump’s first term for her pointed questioning of judicial nominees, particularly Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his contentious confirmation hearings. Following Trump’s presidency, Klobuchar was among the most vocal lawmakers during congressional investigations into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, serving as Senate Rules Committee chair.

Klobuchar’s 2020 presidential campaign positioned her as a moderate Democrat emphasizing her Midwestern sensibilities and pragmatism. Though she outlasted several better-funded candidates in early contests, she eventually withdrew and endorsed Joe Biden after his South Carolina primary victory.

In 2021, Klobuchar revealed she had been treated for breast cancer. Last year, she announced she was cancer-free but undergoing another round of radiation treatment.

Klobuchar becomes the fourth sitting U.S. senator to announce plans to run for governor in 2026, joining colleagues from Alabama, Colorado, and Tennessee in seeking their states’ top executive positions.