Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced on Monday that he is abandoning his campaign for a third term, citing intensifying criticism of his administration’s handling of alleged fraud in state programs as a key factor in his decision.
The Democrat, who gained national prominence as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential race, had declared his intent to run again in September. However, Walz said the ongoing controversy made it impossible to commit to another election fully.
“But as I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all,” Walz said in a statement, per NBC News. “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 added, “So I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”
In a press release, Walz also blamed partisan attacks, saying “the political gamesmanship we’re seeing from Republicans is only making that fight harder to win.”
The move follows increased attention to fraud claims, including a viral video last month from independent journalist Nick Shirley accusing child care facilities in the state of misconduct. In response, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services halted all federal child care payments to Minnesota.
Separately, a 2024 state audit highlighted lapses by Minnesota’s Education Department that contributed to the abuse of a COVID-era program. That issue ties back to 2022 federal indictments of dozens of suspects in an alleged $250 million scheme involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, with some cases still pending. Several defendants are of Somali descent, drawing verbal criticism from President Donald Trump toward the state’s Somali community.
Walz has a news conference planned for Monday at 11 a.m. CT to address his decision.
Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is weighing a bid to succeed him, according to two people familiar with discussions between the two politicians, The New York Times reported. The pair met on Sunday in Minnesota, where Walz shared his plans, and Klobuchar reportedly expressed her interest in the gubernatorial race.