Veteran Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar officially announced her candidacy for Governor of Minnesota on Thursday amidst the state’s deepening conflicts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Just three weeks ago, Governor Tim Walz abandoned his reelection bid under the political fallout of a large-scale fraud scandal.
Fifteen months ago, Klobuchar easily secured a fourth six-year term in the US Senate.
“To the people of Minnesota, we have endured too much,” she wrote on the social media platform X, “I believe that what we need now is courage, resilience, and trust in each other. I believe we must stand for justice, right the wrongs. Today, I announce my bid for governor.”
In a video speech, Klobuchar mentioned the tragic events in the state—the assassination of House Speaker Melissa Hortman last June, a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to several others, and the recent incident where federal immigration officials shot residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti earlier this month.
The senator stated that she is running to help address issues in education, affordable housing, and healthcare.
“I am running for every individual who needs more affordable healthcare, for every student, farmer, dreamer, and builder,” she said. She also highlighted that she is running for every Minnesotan who wants ICE to leave the state.
The state has been under scrutiny in the past month after ICE agents shot and killed two American citizens during a deportation protest in Minneapolis.
As Klobuchar launches her campaign, Minnesota has also gained national attention due to ongoing fraud scandals, regarded as the country’s largest scam during the COVID-19 era. Walz faced scrutiny for his handling of a massive welfare fraud scandal in the state.
She addressed this scandal, stating she will “fix the problems.” She added, “I do not like fraud or waste in government.”
“I love my work in the Senate,” Klobuchar said in her campaign message, “but I love our state more than any job. I love the people of Minnesota. I want to be a governor who can change Minnesota. Now is the time for us to reaffirm our commitment to the public good. I urge Democrats, independents, and Republicans to join our campaign.”
Starting her career as the county attorney for Hennepin County, Minnesota in 1999, Klobuchar entered the Senate in 2007. In 2019, she was one of the Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election.
Klobuchar paused her campaign in March the following year, just days before most of the US went into lockdown due to the pandemic. She then backed former President Biden. In 2024, she won a fourth term as a Senator.
In January of this year, Klobuchar submitted paperwork to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to establish a governor campaign committee in preparation for her official candidacy.
It is widely expected that she will dominate within the Democratic Party, with party members considering her a clear frontrunner for the primary.
Courtney Alexander, spokesperson for the Republican Governors Association, responded in a statement, “Amy Klobuchar not only has to answer for the mismanagement by her Democratic colleague, Tim Walz, which has cost Minnesota taxpayers billions through outright fraud, but she also has to answer for her own record, which will be a considerable task.”
If Klobuchar wins the gubernatorial race, the governor will be allowed to appoint a replacement to fill her Senate seat, with a special election set for 2027 to complete the remaining term.