Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will not seek a third term amid fraud scandal

Time reports Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he is dropping his re-election bid and will not seek a third term this coming November amid widespread fraud allegations within the state. Walz, 61, who ran as the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee in 2024, has faced lower approval ratings over the past month as criticism mounted amid investigations that state welfare agencies were widely targeted by fraud.

In a statement on Monday morning he cited the scandal and the broader political climate, saying “political gamesmanship from Republicans” is making the fight against fraudsters “harder to win.” He added that after speaking with his family and team over the festive season he cannot give a campaign his all and wants to “let others worry about the election” so he can “focus on the work.” Walz also said, “Donald Trump and his allies—in Washington, in St.

Paul, and online—want to make our state a colder, meaner place,” and accused them of trying to “poison our people against each other by attacking our neighbors.” He referenced the Trump Administration’s plan to freeze all federal funds to Minnesota child care centers in response to the instances of fraud.

Key Topics

Politics, Tim Walz, Minnesota, Fraud Allegations, State Welfare Agencies, Donald Trump