Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Monday that he will not seek a third term in office. The decision comes as his administration faces intense scrutiny over a massive $9 billion fraud scandal in the state.
Walz stated that his decision allows him to focus on the work of the state rather than his own political interests. “Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota,” he said.
The governor projected confidence in his ability to win but noted he would rather “let others worry about the election.” This marks a stunning turnabout for a man once considered a top 2028 White House candidate.
Prosecutors believe the scale of the theft is staggering, with billions stolen by groups pretending to provide meals for children. The scandal became a major liability after viral videos exposed the lack of oversight in state agencies.
President Trump and other Republicans have been relentless in their criticism of the Walz administration. The Trump administration is even considering revoking the citizenship of those implicated in the fraud.
Walz defended his record by noting that his administration has already taken steps to address the criminal activity. “We’ve fired people who weren’t doing their jobs. We’ve seen people go to jail for stealing from our state,” Walz asserted.
He also mentioned that his team has “put new locks on the doors” of remaining programs. He hired a new head of program integrity to ensure that these social safety net programs are properly monitored.
Despite stepping down, Walz took a final shot at his political opponents. He argued that Trump and his allies “want to make our state a colder, meaner place.”
The governor insisted he has “zero regret” and “zero sadness” about his decision to opt out of the race. He remains confident that a member of the Democratic party will hold the seat in the fall.
Potential successors are already being discussed, including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Klobuchar has reportedly expressed interest in the seat following a meeting with the governor.