Anna Moneymaker/Adam Bettcher
By Daniel Orton
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he was dropping out of the 2026 gubernatorial race and not seeking an unprecedented consecutive third term in office.
“I didn’t run for this job so I could have this job," he said in a statement released early Monday. "I ran for this job so I could do this job. Minnesota faces an enormous challenge this year. And I refuse to spend even one minute of 2026 doing anything other than rising to meet the moment.”
The Democrat's departure could quickly reshape Minnesota’s 2026 electoral landscape. The governor, once seen as a durable incumbent after serving as former Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in 2024, has spent recent months fending off criticism of his administration’s response to fraud in state welfare programs. Pressure has grown from both within and outside his party; President Donald Trump and numerous Republican rivals blamed Walz for persistent oversight failures, while internal Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) voices questioned whether he could still unify their base.
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Newsweek explores who could be the DFL's new standard bearer, with several prominent Democratic names being floated as potential replacements.
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Who could replace Tim Walz as Minnesota Governor Nominee?
Amy Klobuchar
The senator’s national profile, pragmatic reputation, and experience as a statewide campaigner make her a potential contender if she enters the race. Her strengths include deep name recognition, a proven ability to win statewide, and a moderate brand with crossover appeal. A potential vulnerability is positioning: her pragmatic approach may not align as closely with the activist wing of the party, which could affect enthusiasm in a contested primary.
The governor reportedly met with Klobuchar on Sunday, fueling speculation about her stepping in. Newsweek contacted Klobuchar’s office for comment via an email sent outside regular business hours.
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Steve Simon
The Minnesota secretary of state is widely viewed as a technocratic, consensus-oriented official who could run on election administration, voting access and government competence. His strengths include a reputation built around process, stability and institutional credibility. The challenge is scale: he has not previously led a high-profile statewide campaign for executive office, and building a broader political coalition would likely be necessary to compete in a crowded field.
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Keith Ellison
As the state’s attorney general, Ellison enters with a strong profile on civil rights and a record that has made him a prominent figure in state and national Democratic politics. His strengths include visibility, an established statewide organization, and clear issue associations, particularly on policing and justice. A general-election challenge is that he is a well-defined political figure who would likely draw intense opposition messaging and higher partisan polarization than some other potential contenders.
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Peggy Flanagan
The lieutenant governor—currently running for U.S. Senate—is also frequently discussed as a future statewide contender. Her strengths include statewide experience, a recognizable profile and connections across multiple Democratic constituencies. The main question would be readiness for the top executive role: while she has served in statewide office, she has not yet run a standalone statewide executive campaign, and her Senate race could complicate timing and strategic focus.
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Angie Craig
The U.S. representative from Minnesota’s 2nd congressional district is known for winning in competitive territory and maintaining a pragmatic record with crossover appeal. Her strengths include electoral performance in swing areas, discipline as a candidate, and a political style aligned with suburban and moderate voters. The main challenge is timing: with her attention on a Senate contest, shifting to a gubernatorial campaign would require retooling her message and coalition quickly.
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Dean Phillips
The former congressman and 2024 presidential candidate is associated with business ties and a centrist political profile that could attract independents and some suburban voters. His strengths include fundraising capacity, media familiarity and a personal brand built around pragmatism. The complication is that his recent national run positioned him outside the party mainstream, and a statewide campaign would likely require rebuilding organizational infrastructure and elite support in Minnesota.
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What Happens Next
The DFL is expected to quickly coalesce around a new gubernatorial candidate now that Walz has exited. Klobuchar and Simon are widely seen as immediate front-runners, but final decisions may depend on internal party deliberations and how publicly prominent figures react following Walz’s announcement.
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