By SUZANNE DOWNING
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday he will not seek a third term in 2026, a decision that comes as scrutiny intensifies over alleged misuse of taxpayer funds tied to Minnesota’s welfare and child care programs.
Walz was first elected governor in 2018 after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in 2007. In 2024, he ran unsuccessfully for vice president alongside Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
In that election, 140,026 Alaskans voted for the Harris–Walz ticket.
The governor’s decision follows months of mounting allegations involving fraud and misuse of federal dollars in Minnesota. In November, a report alleged that millions of taxpayer dollars were siphoned from the state’s welfare system and funneled to a Somali-based terrorist organization. The controversy escalated further after independent journalist Nick Shirley released a video claiming to expose approximately $110 million in fraudulent federal support sent to Minnesota daycare centers, many of them operated within the Somali community.
Walz is expected to testify before Congress on Feb. 10 in response to the allegations, as federal lawmakers examine the scope of the alleged fraud and the state’s oversight of public funds.
With Walz opting out of the 2026 race, Minnesota Democrats will enter the next gubernatorial election without an incumbent, setting the stage for a competitive primary season as candidates vie for their party’s nomination to the governor’s mansion.
On the Republican side, several high-profile candidates have already entered the race. The field includes Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and former state senator Scott Jensen, who was the GOP nominee for governor in 2022.
Demuth linked Walz’ departure to the ongoing fraud allegations.
“Democrat control in Minnesota has spent years enabling criminals who stole our tax dollars, with still no meaningful accountability and no end in sight to the billions in fraud that still plagues nearly every government program imaginable thanks to 16 years of Democrat control,” Demuth wrote on Facebook.
Minnesota’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11, with both parties expected to see crowded and contentious races as the campaign season unfolds.
8 thoughts on “Breaking: Walz will not seek third term as Minnesota governor”
If you like popcorn, buy your supply now. It should be a very entertaining campaign season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes (give or take …depending upon who you ask). And for daily currency on this subject, our friends at the Powerlineblog.com are based in MSP and offer a running commentary on all things MINneSOta.
A coward. He doesn’t want to face prosecution. So he bows out. All democrats quickly resign.
I hope helping the Somali’s was worth it for him because he tarnished his entire family and destroyed his political career all for Somalis who did nothing for him when he needed to be bailed out.
A lesson learned about helping third world mentality Americans. They’ll take from you and give nothing back to you nor to anyone else.
Deported voter base has consequences.
I wonder what the betting line is on if he will resign before or after he faces indictment?
Indictment? I hope you’re right, Steve-O. The way things have been going, it’s more likely Walz will be scolded in congress and Minnesota will continue to hand billions to the Somalis.
Seeking his First term in the Penn! I hope he succeeds! Buy a couple “my pillows” and elect Lindell.