Walz dropped his reelection bid Monday amid a massive fraud investigation into several state programs.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Following Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to end his 2026 election campaign, people and organizations from across Minnesota and beyond began sharing their reactions.
Walz dropped his reelection bid Monday amid a massive fraud investigation into several state programs.
Minnesota DFL Chair Richard Carlbom:
“Tim and Gwen Walz have served Minnesota with a deep commitment to servant leadership.
“We’re grateful for the years Governor Walz has spent in public service delivering for Minnesotans as a public-school teacher, National Guardsman, member of Congress, and as our Governor. We respect his decision to not seek a third term.
“True to form, he is choosing to spend the remainder of his term focused on governing, improving lives, and standing up for Minnesota.”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison:
“Tim Walz is a remarkable leader, and Minnesota has benefitted immensely from the compassion he brought to his decades of public service. Tim banished hunger from Minnesota classrooms, signed universal background checks into law, and passed paid family leave. He built a record of standing up for people who need it – from the LGBTQ+ community to working-class families to teachers and more. Tim’s legacy is one of putting people first and delivering for Minnesotans in every corner of our state, and that’s a legacy to be damn proud of.
Tim led Minnesota through some of the greatest challenges faced by any governor in living memory. I have had the privilege of serving Minnesotans alongside Tim for almost 20 years. We were elected to Congress together, and then to statewide office. It has been an honor to call Tim my governor, my colleague, and my friend, and I am extremely grateful for all he has done on behalf of Minnesota.”
Democratic Governors Association Chair Governor Andy Beshear:
“Governor Tim Walz has been a true leader who has delivered results that will make life better for Minnesota workers and families for years to come.
He’s been a national leader in fighting for the middle class, ensuring free school meals, investing in public schools, and expanding access to affordable health care.
As DGA Chair he helped grow our historic momentum and lay the foundation for big wins over the last two years. Above all, as a veteran, educator, coach, and member of Congress, he’s also a great example of a public servant always working hard for the people of his state.
“No matter who decides to run or how much national Republicans want to spend, the DGA remains very confident Minnesotans will elect another strong Democratic governor this November.”
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin:
“I’ve known Tim Walz for a long time, and one thing has always been true about him: He entered public life for the right reasons and never lost sight of them. Tim has never been about titles or ambition — he’s about the people. His North Star has always been showing up and doing the work that actually makes their lives better.
“Today’s decision is entirely consistent with who Tim is. Tim has always believed that leadership isn’t about preserving your own power — it’s about using it to make a difference for as many people as possible. He doesn’t measure success by elections won, but by classrooms strengthened, families supported, and communities that are better off because he fought for them. That kind of leadership is rare, and it’s exactly what our country needs more of right now.
“In the months ahead, Tim will continue doing what he’s done throughout his career: standing up to Donald Trump, defending Minnesota’s values, and fighting for working people, while creating the opportunity for new leadership to give everything they have to the next chapter ahead. This selfless choice speaks volumes about his character.
“I’m deeply grateful to Governor Walz for his integrity, his humility, and his unwavering commitment to Minnesota. Thank you for carrying the torch, knowing when to pass it on, and always putting Minnesota first. He has my full respect, my friendship, and my continued support, today and always.”
Democratic House Leader Zack Stephenson:
“Governor Walz has dedicated his life to public service — as a public school teacher, a National Guard member, Congressman for the First Congressional District, and Governor. He has been an exceptional public servant, and he deserves our gratitude.
“Governor Walz led our state ably through COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd, two of the most difficult moments in our state’s history. He signed balanced budgets, worked to find compromise in divided government, and — working with Melissa Hortman and Kari Dziedzic — signed historic legislation into law in 2023 that will benefit Minnesotans for generations to come.
“And when the Legislature was facing our most challenging moment ever with the murder of Melissa and Mark Hortman and shooting of John and Yvette Hoffman, Governor Walz mobilized every available resource to help us navigate an unprecedented tragedy. I will forever be personally grateful to him for his leadership in those moments.
“Governor Walz set out an inspirational vision to make Minnesota the best state in the nation for children and families, and the lives of countless Minnesotans will be better because he chose to serve. Thank you, Governor.”
Democratic Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy:
“I want to thank Governor Walz for his years of dedicated service to Minnesota. His leadership has steered the state through some of the most difficult challenges in our history, through COVID and civil unrest, through chaotic, hostile presidencies, the assassinations of June 14 and murder at Annunciation, and he has met those moments for the well-being of Minnesotans.
The work we accomplished together since 2023 has invested in Minnesotans’ household budgets, their schools, hospitals and communities, and protected their rights in ways that will improve the lives of every person in this state for generations. Just this week, more than 10,000 new parents, people recovering from illness or caring for a loved one are accessing the strongest paid leave program in America.
I appreciate that Governor Walz recognizes the political moment we’re facing. The threats posed by the Trump administration were already dire, and now that he has weaponized his entire government against our state, they are existential. Minnesotans aren’t having it.
Our challenges are compounded by the Minnesota Republicans who embrace Trumpism or are too afraid to call out the cruel harm he is doing. I’m confident Minnesotans will see that the only effective way to fight those forces is electing leaders at every level who will fight back against a corrupt oligarchy and serve the people.”
Minnesota Speaker of the House and Republican gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth:
“If Democrats think they can sweep Minnesota’s fraud scandal away by swapping out Tim Walz, they are wrong,” Demuth said.
“Every Democrat in Minnesota has spent years enabling criminals who stole our tax dollars, with still no meaningful accountability and no end in sight to the billions in fraud that still plagues nearly every government program imaginable thanks to 16 years of Democrat control.”
“We need transformational change across state government. That only comes with a Republican governor.”
“I will deliver that for Minnesotans, no matter who the Democrats decide to run.”
Republican State Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Kristin Robbins:
“Tim Walz and his staggering fraud could not outrun our investigations and the momentum we have in this race. He knows he will lose in November, and would rather give up than take responsibility.
“Anyone Walz handpicks to run for governor will own the fraud and failures of this administration.
“Our campaign is building the coalition necessary to stop the fraud, protect our kids, and make Minnesota prosper. As Governor, I will dismantle the years of fraud Democrats allowed and ensure our tax dollars work for Minnesotans.”
Republican gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls:
“Tim Walz’s two terms as governor have been a total failure for Minnesota as rampant fraud, out-of-control crime, sky-high prices and declining schools are holding Minnesota back. Walz is terrified to run on his record.
But it doesn’t matter if the DFL props up Amy Klobuchar or any other candidate, they share Walz’s record of failure and incompetence. I’m going to spend the next 11 months contrasting Democrat failed policies with a vision of a prosperous Minnesota that only a strong leader and political outsider can deliver. I know because I’ve been doing it my whole life.”
Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash:
“Governor Tim Walz leaves behind a legacy Minnesotans won’t soon forget — a legacy of dysfunction, disorder, and declining trust.
Under Tim Walz, Minnesota watched cities burn while leadership hesitated. Churches and schools were locked down while government power expanded unchecked. Our education system deteriorated to the point where roughly half of Minnesota students cannot read or do math at grade level. Crime rose, accountability vanished, and an historic $18 billion surplus was squandered — followed by billions in new taxes that made cars, gas, deliveries, and everyday life more expensive for working families.
Now Democrats want to replace him with Senator Amy Klobuchar — a career Washington politician who would bring the same failed, dysfunctional D.C. politics to Minnesota.
Klobuchar didn’t just stand by during the Walz years — she cheered them on. Instead of using her seniority in Washington to demand accountability, stop fraud, or protect taxpayers, she issued press release after press release praising ‘progress’ while Minnesotans dealt with the consequences. That’s Washington politics at its worst: lots of words, no accountability, and zero results.
Minnesota doesn’t need a governor who governs like a senator — distant, insulated, and focused on messaging instead of outcomes. Replacing Tim Walz with Amy Klobuchar isn’t change. It’s doubling down on the same failed leadership and importing the dysfunction of Washington, D.C. directly into our state government.
The choice for voters is clear: more of the same failed Democratic leadership — or real change with Republicans who are ready to restore trust, accountability, and Minnesota’s promise.”
Republican House Floor Leader Harry Niska:
“Minnesota’s fraud epidemic extends well beyond any one individual. It is the result of nearly two decades of Democrat governors, backed by their legislative allies, creating a culture of complacency that has cost Minnesotans and their families billions of dollars.
“Swapping out one failed Democrat for another will not fix the broken system they built. Fixing fraud requires a full housecleaning, not simply a new face running the same machine that has already lost billions.”
Republican Governor’s Association Communications Director Courtney Alexander:
“After presiding over one of the biggest fraud scandals in history it’s no wonder that Tim Walz is being forced to drop his re-election bid. Walz’s failed leadership is emblematic of Minnesota Democrats’ agenda and whoever Democrats choose to replace Walz with at the top of the ticket will need to defend years of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.
“National Democrats selected Walz as their Vice Presidential nominee and potential future presidential candidate, pinning all their hopes and dreams on him. Now, Walz will exit office disgraced, and taxpayers – robbed. This scandal isn’t just reflective of Minnesota Democrats: it is the banner of the Democrat Party nationally, and it’s clear voters have had enough.”
Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer: