‘I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work,’ Walz stated.
Minnesota’s governor said on Jan. 5 that he would not run for another term.
Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said he talked with his family and team and concluded that he cannot focus on winning reelection.
“Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences,” Walz said in a statement posted to X.
“So I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”
Walz, during an event later on Jan. 5, read the statement he had released online. He told reporters that he would answer their questions after an announcement on Jan. 6 and then left.
President Donald Trump and administration officials have recently been taking action against Minnesota, including freezing funds for child care after alleged fraudulent day care schemes were uncovered. Minnesota will need to provide documents proving its facilities meet federal regulations, officials said.
Federal officials have also indicted dozens of people in a $250 million operation that includes crimes such as wire fraud, FBI Director Kash Patel said recently.
“For the last several years, an organized group of criminals have sought to take advantage of our state’s generosity,” Walz said on Jan. 5.
He said that people should be concerned about fraud, but that state officials have been making progress on that front. He also criticized Trump and his allies, alleging “they want to take away much of what makes Minnesota the best place in America to raise a family,” citing the freeze on child care funds.
Walz, 61, had announced a reelection effort in 2024. He has been the governor of Minnesota since 2019. He won the 2022 election with 1.3 million votes, to Republican Scott Jensen’s 1.1 million.
He was also the vice presidential nominee for Kamala Harris in her failed 2024 presidential bid.
Candidates still in the 2026 race for Minnesota governor are nearly all Republicans. They include Scott Jensen, Minnesota state Rep. Peggy Bennett, and Republican Mike Lindell, the founder of the MyPillow company and an ally of President Donald Trump.
Walz said he was proud of what he has accomplished while in office, including implementing a new paid leave policy. He said he will be on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until he leaves office. He also said he is confident that a Democratic candidate will win the election in November.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), said in a statement that Walz has been a leader who has delivered results for the middle class.
“No matter who decides to run or how much national Republicans want to spend, the DGA remains very confident Minnesotans will elect another strong Democratic governor this November,” Beshear said.
Former Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said on Jan. 5 that he does not intend to enter the gubernatorial race, or a 2026 race for a U.S. Senate seat representing Minnesota.
“But I stand at the ready to assist common sense candidates committed to reducing the cost of living, improving education and public safety, addressing corruption, and restoring competency in governance,” Phillips wrote on X.
Courtney Alexander, communications director for the Republican Governors Association, said Walz’s decision to drop out of the race wasn’t surprising.
“After presiding over one of the biggest fraud scandals in history, it’s no wonder that Tim Walz is being forced to drop his re-election bid,” Alexander said in an emailed statement.
“Walz’s failed leadership is emblematic of Minnesota Democrats’ agenda and whoever Democrats choose to replace Walz with at the top of the ticket will need to defend years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.”
