Tim Walz said on Monday that he was abandoning his bid for re-election to a third term as governor of Minnesota, citing a growing scandal over fraud in social services programs. The decision brings an end to a short rise in national politics for Mr. Walz, who had been the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 election.
According to two people briefed on the discussions, Mr. Walz met on Sunday in Minnesota with
Amy Klobuchar and informed her of his plans. During the meeting, Ms. Klobuchar confirmed her interest in running to succeed him. She did not respond to requests for comment on Monday morning.
Mr. Walz said that the widening fraud scandal persuaded him to drop out of the race. His administration has faced criticism for oversight of the programs and for failing to prevent widespread fraud.
“I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all,” Mr. Walz said in a statement. “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.”
A news conference has been scheduled for Monday, where Mr. Walz is expected to discuss the decision.
The move has jolted a race that had already attracted a large slate of Republican candidates, including Minnesota House speaker
Lisa Demuth and
Mike Lindell, the chief executive of
MyPillow and an ally of
Donald Trump.
Republicans have not won a statewide race in Minnesota since 2006, but they have expressed confidence that this year’s governor’s race would be different.
In recent weeks, Democrats in the state had voiced concern that Mr. Walz’s presence on the ticket might reduce the chances for other Democrats in November. His exit comes amid national scrutiny of his handling of the welfare fraud scandal, which Mr. Trump and other top Republicans have criticized.
Mr. Walz, 61, is a former public-school teacher who served in Congress for 12 years before becoming governor. Last year, he had signaled uncertainty about seeking a third term.
During the summer, shortly before announcing his decision to run again, he said in an interview that he was trying to determine whether Minnesotans wanted him to remain in office.
“I think you need to think through: Well, do you have the ability to do the job? Have you done well?” he said.
In September, Mr. Walz announced that he would seek re-election, saying he was proud of a legacy that included passing numerous bills in 2023 when Democrats controlled both chambers of the state legislature.
Soon after that announcement, the fraud scandal began to weigh on his candidacy.
Later in September, federal prosecutors said an investigation into fraud in a Covid-19 program intended to feed children had expanded to include other safety net programs overseen by Mr. Walz’s administration.
Prosecutors have said that as much as $9 billion may have been stolen over several years. More than 90 people have been charged, at least 60 have been convicted, and the majority of defendants are of Somali origin.
Mr. Walz has acknowledged that fraud became a pervasive problem and announced measures to strengthen oversight.
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