Top Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar Launches Bid To Replace Tim Walz

Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar launched her gubernatorial bid Thursday morning to replace outgoing Gov. Tim Walz.

Klobuchar, the third-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, filed paperwork Jan. 22 to form a campaign committee for a run for governor of her home state of Minnesota. (RELATED: Here’s Who Could Potentially Replace Tim Walz As Minnesota Governor)

Minnesotans, we’ve been through a lot.

And I believe this moment calls for grit, resilience, and faith in each other.

I believe we must stand up for what’s right. And fix what’s wrong.

Today, I’m announcing my candidacy for Governor. pic.twitter.com/yVnbvmMyxO

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 29, 2026

Klobuchar has been sharply critical of the Trump administration, recently urging the Justice Department of (DOJ) to coordinate with Minnesota officials on a “thorough, objective and impartial” investigation into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation that resulted in the death of Renee Good in a letter.

Her filing comes weeks after Gov. Tim Walz abandoned his reelection bid Jan 5, following intense scrutiny of his administration over alleged widespread fraud primarily linked to Somali-run businesses in the Minneapolis–St. Paul region.

Walz, the failed 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, announced his decision in a statement, claiming that the Trump administration is attempting to make Minnesota “a colder, meaner place” and saying he could not give a political campaign his full attention while addressing the challenges facing the state. (RELATED: Here’s Everything Tim Walz Got Away With As Minnesota Governor)

Klobuchar said Walz “made the difficult decision to focus on his job and the challenges facing our state rather than campaigning and running for reelection” in a Jan. 5 post on X. At the time, she did not indicate whether she planned to enter the gubernatorial race herself.

Governor Walz made the difficult decision to focus on his job and the challenges facing our state rather than campaigning and running for reelection. He has always dedicated his career to delivering for Minnesota — from providing school breakfast and lunches to our kids to…

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 5, 2026

Many Democrats view Klobuchar, who chairs the Senate Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, as the likely front-runner if she enters the race, according to The Hill.

The DOJ has sent subpoenas to multiple Democratic officials in Minnesota, including Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, amid an investigation into alleged obstruction of federal immigration enforcement, NBC reported.

Klobuchar, who has more than four years remaining in her fourth Senate term, is not expected to immediately resign her seat if she runs. She would join Republican Sens. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee in pursuing gubernatorial campaigns while serving in the Senate.