Senator Amy Klobuchar Announces Run for Minnesota Governor/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar has announced her candidacy for Minnesota governor following Gov. Tim Walz’s decision not to seek reelection. She vows to stand up to President Trump’s administration and unify the state amid political and social unrest. The 2026 race is shaping into a high-stakes battle with multiple GOP contenders.
Amy Klobuchar Minnesota Governor Bid Quick Looks
- Announcement Date: January 29, 2026
- Current Role: U.S. Senator (Democrat, Minnesota)
- Running For: Governor of Minnesota
- Incumbent Governor: Tim Walz (Democrat, not seeking reelection)
- Key Message: Unite Minnesota, challenge Trump administration
- Context: Following criticism of Walz’s administration over child care funding
- Platform Issues: Immigration, law enforcement accountability, government reform
- GOP Opponents: Mike Lindell, Lisa Demuth, Scott Jensen, Kristin Robbins
- Trump Ties: Klobuchar is a frequent critic; GOP candidates closely aligned with him
- Electoral History: Won 2024 Senate race by 16 points
- National Profile: 2020 presidential candidate, Senate leadership roles
- Personal Notes: Cancer survivor, experienced prosecutor, moderate Democrat
- Senators Running for Governor in 2026: Klobuchar joins Bennet, Blackburn, Tuberville
Deep Look
Amy Klobuchar Announces Minnesota Governor Bid After Gov. Tim Walz Exits Race
MINNEAPOLIS — Senator Amy Klobuchar is officially entering Minnesota’s 2026 gubernatorial race, stepping in after Democratic Governor Tim Walz withdrew from his reelection campaign earlier this month. Klobuchar’s entrance into the race brings national attention and a high-profile name to what is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests of the election cycle.
Klobuchar made the announcement Thursday in a video shared online, declaring her commitment to unifying Minnesota during what she called one of the most challenging chapters in the state’s history.
“Minnesota, we’ve been through a lot,” Klobuchar said. “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.”
The longtime senator referenced multiple crises that have impacted Minnesota in the past year, including the federal government’s controversial immigration enforcement, the fatal shootings of protesters by federal agents, the assassination of a state lawmaker, and a deadly school shooting. She stopped short of directly addressing the ongoing child care funding fraud investigations that had pressured Walz before he stepped aside.
Klobuchar framed her campaign as a direct challenge to President Donald Trump, who is serving a second term. She has frequently opposed Trump’s policies and has been outspoken in Senate hearings and investigations involving his administration. Her criticism has recently intensified over Trump’s mass deportation plans and immigration raids, which have led to civilian casualties and large-scale protests in Minnesota and across the country.
She now becomes the fourth U.S. senator in 2026 to pursue leadership of their home states, joining Colorado’s Michael Bennet, Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn, and Alabama’s Tommy Tuberville.
On the Republican side, the field is already crowded. GOP contenders include MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a staunch Trump ally and prominent 2020 election denier; Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth; former state senator and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen; and state Representative Kristin Robbins.
Immigration and government accountability are expected to be central themes of the race. Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics — including warrantless home entries and fatal shootings by ICE officers — have fueled national outcry. In early January, Minnesota native and U.S. citizen Renee Good was killed in a federal raid, followed by the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents.
Trump has also weaponized allegations of fraud within Minnesota’s child care subsidy system and other social programs, linking it to the state’s large Somali-American community and claiming widespread corruption. While Walz’s administration has acknowledged and pursued fraud investigations, critics argue that Trump’s framing has been racially and politically charged.
Klobuchar brings a strong electoral track record to the race. She won her 2024 Senate reelection by nearly 16 points and received significantly more votes in Minnesota than Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who had selected Walz as her running mate. Harris defeated Trump in Minnesota by under five points.
A moderate Democrat and former Hennepin County prosecutor, Klobuchar first gained national prominence during her pointed questioning of then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. During those hearings, she addressed the issue of alcohol abuse, revealing her father’s struggles with addiction. Kavanaugh later apologized to her for his response.
She was also among the most vocal members of Congress investigating the January 6 Capitol attack. As Senate Rules Committee chair, Klobuchar helped author a bipartisan report analyzing security failures that enabled the insurrection.
Klobuchar’s 2020 presidential campaign elevated her national profile. Known for her Midwestern pragmatism and grit, she stood out on the Democratic debate stage and outperformed higher-profile opponents in early primary states. Though she dropped out after the South Carolina primary, she played a key role in rallying behind Joe Biden’s nomination.
Though widely considered a candidate for a top Cabinet position in Biden’s administration, Klobuchar remained in the Senate due to the Democrats’ narrow 50-50 control and the political risk of vacating her seat.
In 2021, Klobuchar publicly disclosed a breast cancer diagnosis. She announced in 2024 that she was cancer-free but continuing with radiation treatment as a preventive measure.
If she wins the governorship, Klobuchar would leave the Senate mid-term. However, because she is not up for reelection until after 2026, she can retain her seat if her gubernatorial bid is unsuccessful.
The Minnesota governor’s race will be one of 36 gubernatorial contests across the country in 2026 and is likely to become a national referendum on Trump’s second-term policies, especially regarding immigration, law enforcement, and public trust in government.
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