Gov. Tim Walz’s surprise decision to drop his re-election bid has scrambled Minnesota politics less than a year before Election Day.
Walz announced this week he would not campaign for a third consecutive term as a massive social service fraud scandal has engulfed the state. Federal prosecutors have documented hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of fraud in state autism, housing and meals programs, among others. The total scope of the theft could be billions of dollars, according to federal prosecutors.
Walz took questions on Jan. 6 at an event focused on Minnesota’s new paid family leave policy. Walz railed against the Trump administration’s efforts to target Minnesota and discussed his decision to leave the governor’s race.
“I don’t think any governor in history has had to fight a war against the federal government,” Walz said, adding, “We are under assault, like no other time in our state’s history because of a petty, vile administration.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mulling a run for governor. She and Walz met on Sunday to discuss the race, according to several people familiar with the meeting. Klobuchar boasts strong support among Greater Minnesota voters.
Follow live updates below:
