Minneapolis (AP) – Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz On Tuesday, he said he wanted to beat the odds to become the longest-serving governor in the state, where voters said two terms would normally be sufficient, in search of a third term in the 2026 election.
In a campaign video posted to YouTube, Walz said he’s running because his job isn’t finished, and he wants to make Minnesota a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
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“We’ve seen how we can help us through difficult times,” he said. “And boy, we’ve seen some terrible times this year. I’m heartbroken and angry at beautiful people who have been defeated by gun violence. But that can’t help us to lose hope together.
Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz acknowledged the House Chamber of Commerce applause before giving a state speech on April 23, 2025, at the state capitol building in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Vice President Kamala Harris Selected Waltz as her running companion on the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket After his offensive line To former President Donald Trump and his running peers, then-senator Ohio JD Vance – “These people are just weird” – is widespread.
Walz had been building his national profile since his defeat in November. He was A sharp critic of Trump When he toured Early Caucasus and major conditions. May, he Called by a Democrat In South Carolina, to stand up to Trump, saying, “Maybe it’s time for us to be a little mean.”
“I’ve always tried to do something that suits Minnesota. I’ll never stop fighting to protect us from the chaos, corruption and atrocities that come out of Washington,” Walz said in his announcement.
Although 61-year-old Walz is frequently mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, He told axios In July, he did not run for president if he sought reelection.
His close political ally, former Minnesota Senator Melissa Hortman, was assassinated in June by a man pretending to be a police officer. Waltz I’ve sent you a follow-up At her funeral. Trump refused to call We have condolences. Waste of time.
Waltz and Minnesota lamented again later last month Two children were killed Twenty-one people were injured in a shooting at Minneapolis Church, with students from related schools celebrating Mass.
Waltz said he would. Call a special session It’s about Congress that passes the School and Gun Safety Act, but he hasn’t set a date yet, and hasn’t proposed any specific laws to do so. He said in his announcement Tuesday that one of his priorities was to “take gun violence seriously.”
We introduced Waltz’s run for the Vice President Former high school teacher The image of “Midwest Dad” is broader and has become a nationwide audience. But it also brought him new scrutiny. Record as governor And as a former member of parliament, and Trends to decorate Or exaggerate the details and annoys his words.
Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz is waiting for a press conference to begin outside the accusation church on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, following the shooting in Minneapolis (Alex Colman/Star Tribune by APIR)
He proudly promoted the achievements of the 2023 Legislative Conference when Democrats used their full control. Establish a fundamental platform of liberal priorities, including free school lunches for all students, increased protections for abortion and transgender rights.
However, he also faced new criticism from his right to handling anxiety that Followed by murder 2020 with George Floyd of Minneapolis and $300 million Pandemic Food Aid fraud case. Republicans are making sure they use new revelation of the case and fraud in other national programs against him in 2026.
The US House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Minnesota’s most well-known GOP office holder, was one of the Republicans who highlighted fraud under the waltz watch on Tuesday.
“The waltz is a proven failure,” Emmer said in a statement. “Instead of boasting a strong economy, a great school or a safe street, the only thing Minnesotan can promote is the fact that Waltz has allowed the nation’s largest taxpayer-funded Covid Program fraud to occur under his watch.”
Minnesota Governor has not been won Terminology for 3 consecutive times This is the first time since the state switched to a four-year term in 1963. However, since Tim Pollenty was re-elected for a second term as governor in 2006, Minnesota Republicans have not won statewide races.
On the Republican side of the race, former business executives and army veterans Kendall Quall He announced his candidacy in May and hopes to become Minnesota’s first black governor. Qualls lost GOP approval in 2022 Family physician and former senator Scott Jensen announced in July that he was running again.
The current GOP office holder in the past race is Rep. Christine Robbins of Maple Glove, who chairs the House Committee established this year to investigate fraud in government programs. She announced her candidate on August 20th.
