Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops reelection bid

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios/Twin Cities

12 mins ago


Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that he is ending his bid for reelection.

Why it matters: The reversal, which came amid mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, marks a major shake-up in Minnesota politics heading into the 2026 midterms.

The big picture: Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, announced in September that he would run for an unprecedented third consecutive term as governor.

But sagging approval ratings and intensified scrutiny into fraud in state programs in recent months has fueled nerves among Democrats and calls for Walz to step aside.

State of play: Democrats have won every statewide office in Minnesota since 2006, and most political forecasts continue to rate next year's race in their favor.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/05/tim-walz-drop-out-minnesota-governor-race

[pstokely]

1. How many MN Governors have won 3rd terms?

?

[SouthBayDem]

4. Not consecutively. Rudy Perpich was elected for a third term in 1982

however that was after one term of a Republican governor.

[dflprincess]

7. Perpich was governor from Dec 1976 to Jan 1979

After Wendell Anderson resigned and Perpich moved up from Lt. Governor. He served again from Jan 1983 to January 1991. He was defeated in 1990 when running for another term.

Minnesota has never had a governor elected to 3 full terms.

[thesquanderer]

12. re: "Minnesota has never had a governor elected to 3 full terms"

Has anyone ever even *run* for 3 consecutive terms?

[dflprincess]

17. The original question was has any MN governor won three terms.

That answer is no. As far as I know, Perpich is the only one to run for a third term.

[hueymahl]

2. I hate it, but this is probably good for our party overall

He had become a lightning rod for popular disdain with the ongoing fraud investigations.

[pstokely]

5. but a win for disinfo campaigns

how deep is the DFL bench? this gives more time for a real primary and campaign

[bearsfootball516]

9. Rumor is Klobuchar wants to run.

She'd be as close to an automatic victory as you can get, should she throw her hat in the ring.

[pstokely]

14. but who'd replace her in the senate?

?

[dflprincess]

18. Amy doesn't have to give up her senate seat to run for by governor

Last edited Mon Jan 5, 2026, 03:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Assuming she won, either Walz or Amy would appoint her successor. Who does that all depends on the timing of her resignation.

[quakerboy]

22. Can they just swap?

Amy takes the governors race, appoints Walz to the newly open senate seat?

[Bengus81]

15. Then they'll be ramping up on her too. Maybe roll out another sex crime in the pizza

parlor basement??

[mahina]

13. Which was the point.

Sadly.

[Dave Bowman]

3. He seems like a good and qualified guy. I'm sure he'll be missed.

[Lovie777]

6. He will be ok..................

the fraud if any came from the federals................

note, shithole and crew.

[dflprincess]

8. It appears the Trumpers are

Giving Nick Shirley all the "credit" for this.

When are the Democrats going to figure out how to not let tge Republicans control the narrative?

[Scubamatt]

11. LOVE THIS POINT

On a personal note, as a Minnesotan, I am sorry Governor Walz is stepping down. But, the damage has been done, because of the very reason you point out. They've been flooding the social media and air waves with the "fraud" story. Our side seems incapable of creating and driving a consistent narrative. Yet, it's how they win, even when they don't control the reins of power. I really., really wish we could learn to do that.

[AZProgressive]

25. The problem is the constant misinformation puts the Democrats on defense

They right wing provocateurs are well funded and a lot of these outrages are astro turfed with a lot of money backing them. It isn't only this issue but others as well. They also have Fox News (RW propaganda channel) and a lot of consolidated media which leans right amplifies these conspiracy theories. It is like that saying about a lie traveling faster than the truth.

It is like trying to play & win a game designed for sociopaths. It is almost unwinnable. With as often as Trump uses projection he often accuses Democrats of things he is actually guilty of himself.

I think the best answer is to go on offense and as quickly as possible. The Democrats often have the truth on their side so they can use that.

[Scubamatt]

26. Well said

I thought for a while that our side had better social media, but the past 8 years has shown that they are better able to micro target swing demographics (with help from Russia). As for legacy corporate media (all of them, not just Fox news), we need to bring back the Fairness doctrine, apply it to all media, and start investigating the antitrust implications of all of these media conglomerations.

[dutch777]

10. May be the better move for the party. When many are clamboring for new and younger faces, this fits. Plus he is...

...doing it when it gives others enough time to gear up a good solid campaign. I do hope other Dem governors are taking note of the fraud issues being raised. While Welfare is one thing, Medicare and Medicaid are also plagued by constant fraud and they can get painted with this same brush if they are not proactive. The Feds work on Medicare/Medicaid but the new fraudsters pop up as fast as they catch the last one. If Trump spent the energy wasted on DOGE for going after fraud harder, would have actually had some positive payback.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. Two different people! lol

Walz is not going to run for reelection (after the RW loon smears) and Sen. Mark Kelly is supposedly getting his retirement pay docked by Kegsbreath.

[SunImp]

20. I wish him well

It's sad to see him go though.

[bluestarone]

21. Just guessing here. I'm thinking this because he loves his family and

trying to stop the attacks against them?

[meow2u3]

23. I may not be from Minnesota, but may I put my two cents in?

From Pennsylvania, I think Walz should throw his hat in the ring for the Senate.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. He served 6 terms in the House (from 2006 - 2018) and then "came home"

So it sounds like he had enough of D.C. (and his district was apparently growing redder at the time).