ROOKE: Amy Klobuchar Seems To Be Willingly Walking Off A Cliff For Democrats

Recent federal investigations have uncovered over $1 billion in fraud across Minnesota’s social services, including Somali-owned daycares accused of siphoning funds for overseas remittances and luxury purchases, prompting Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to abandon his 2026 re-election bid.

With Walz stepping down from the race, Democrats are undoubtedly searching for a new candidate to navigate the fraud scandal without upsetting the Somali community, while also appealing to other Minnesota voters put off by the financial abuse. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a moderate Democrat with broad appeal, is reportedly considering the gubernatorial race, positioning her as a unifying figure to avert a fractured primary amid the scandal’s fallout.

One thing I have not seen a lot of discussion of is why Amy Klobuchar would consider leaving the Senate to run for governor when she is a top contender to replace Chuck Schumer as the leader of the Senate Democrats.

Klobuchar is the only political figure in Minnesota popular…

— Daniel Friedman (@DanFriedman81) January 5, 2026

While it might be good for Democrats to have Klobuchar save their gubernatorial race in Minnesota, it could end her career. Jumping into the race would position her as the public relations cleanup crew for a massive corruption mess caused by ineffective state politicians who looked the other way while fraudsters robbed the state blind. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)

Klobuchar’s current role as a U.S. Senator offers far greater long-term influence and stability than stepping into the governor’s mansion under these tainted circumstances. She is reportedly a top contender to succeed New York Sen. Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader. With this position, she would be able to shape federal policy, build coalitions across the aisle, and maintain broad appeal without being dragged into a localized quagmire. The Senate has no term limits in practice, allowing her to build a legacy over decades, whereas the governorship would tie her to Minnesota’s immediate crises.

Why trade a secure, high-profile perch in Washington, D.C., for a role that reeks of damage control?

The party’s desperation highlights how beholden Minnesota Democrats have become to the Somali voting bloc. If she enters the race, she will be expected to win the general election without fully kowtowing to this bloc. This would require that she take a stance that is palatable, acknowledging the fraud without inflaming tensions between Somali voters and the rest of Minnesota. But that’s precisely the trap. You can’t without becoming the party’s spokesman for the fraud that she had no hand in creating or perpetuating. And all of this is done to protect Democrats from a fractured primary and salvage the party’s chances. (ROOKE: The Somali Fraud Scandal Gave Trump A Kill Switch. What Happens If He Doesn’t Use It)

She should stay in the Senate and let Walz and the other Minnesota Democrats face the consequences of their own dependencies.

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