Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat who has represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate since 2007, on Thursday announced that she’s running in the open race for governor of Minnesota. 

In her announcement video, Klobuchar said the state had been through a tough time, noting the assassination of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman, the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the surge of federal immigration enforcement action that has drawn a major backlash. 

“In Minnesota, I want to be a transformative governor. Now is our moment to renew our commitment to the common good,” she said, asking for Democrats, Republicans and independents to join her. 

Gov. Tim Walz on January 5 suspended his reelection campaign. Walz, first elected in 2018, gained a national profile as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential election. His decision not to seek a third term comes amid an ongoing scandal over fraud in child care and other social services programs in the state. 

In a lengthy statement, Walz said his administration was taking “fast, decisive action to solve this crisis.” He excoriated “political gamemanship” by Republicans and President Donald Trump for “demonizing” Minnesota’s Somali-American community and suspending federal child care funds to the state. 

“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,” he said. “So I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.” 

A crowded field of Republican candidates, including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former state Sen. Scott Jensen and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, are running for the Republican nomination. 

Klobuchar was reelected to a six-year term in 2024, meaning that if she were elected to the governor’s office, she would appoint her own successor. Sen. Tina Smith, Minnesota’s junior senator, previously announced she won’t run for reelection to her seat in 2026. Candidates including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig are running for Smith’s seat.  

The Democratic nominee is favored to win the general election for governor in Minnesota, which has had a Democrat in the governor’s office since 2011 and Democrats representing the state in the U.S. Senate since 2010. 

In all, 36 governorships are up in 2026. Five Democratic-led states won by Trump in 2024 (Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) are holding elections for governor in 2026, while two Republican governors in states won by Harris (New Hampshire and Vermont) are up for reelection.