Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reconsidering reelection bid, expected to announce decision Monday, sources say
Jeff Zeleny, CNN
Mon, January 5, 2026 at 1:26 PM UTC
2 min read
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is reconsidering whether to seek reelection to a third term and is expected to announce his decision at a Monday news conference, two senior Democrats told CNN, as criticism over a welfare-fraud scandal in his state intensifies.
Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, spent the weekend discussing his plans with friends and advisers. He met with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Sunday, two people familiar with the matter told CNN as the Democratic senator considers whether to jump into the race if Walz decides against running.
CNN has reached out to Walz and Klobuchar for comment.
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A deepening federal probe into a sweeping fraud scandal in Minnesota has threatened to complicate Walz’s bid for an unprecedented third term. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but Republicans have sought to blame Walz and Democrats for the massive abuse of taxpayer dollars.
Minnesota officials have until January 9 to provide the Trump administration with information about providers and parents who receive federal funds for child care.
The Trump administration’s demands are the latest step in a yearslong saga that started with investigations into theft of government funds in Minnesota under the Biden administration.
Walz is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11:00 a.m. CT (12:00 p.m. ET) on Monday in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Klobuchar, who was elected to a fourth term in 2024, is a former prosecutor. She serves in Senate leadership, but over the years has privately expressed interest in being governor and serving as a chief executive. She sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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