Tim Walz to run for a third term as Minnesota governor in 2026
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday morning that he will run for reelection in 2026, ending months of speculation about his plans and political future.
Why it matters: The DFL incumbent and former vice presidential candidate is attempting to do something no other governor has done in state history: win a third consecutive four-year term as the state's chief executive.
The big picture: Democrats have dominated every statewide office in Minnesota for nearly 20 years, and Walz won his past two gubernatorial bids by comfortable margins.
Reality check: While the first midterm following a presidential election often benefits the party that doesn't control the White House, there are signs that the DFL incumbent may be vulnerable this time around.
- Recent statewide polls show voters are split on both Walz's job performance and whether he should run for a third term.
- He's also faced ongoing questions about his administration's handling of fraud in state-run programs.
State of play: The field of potential GOP challengers already includes Walz's 2022 challengers — Republicans Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls — and House Fraud Prevention and Oversight Committee Chair Kristin Robbins.
- Other names that have been floated for the Republican primary include House Speaker Lisa Demuth and 2022 auditor candidate Ryan Wilson.
- Walz is not expected to face a serious DFL primary rival.
Between the lines: Walz originally planned to announce his decision after the legislative session wrapped. He bumped back the timeline after the June 14 assassination of former Rep. Melissa Hortman.
- Several other prominent Democrats — and Republicans — had been waiting on his decision before announcing their 2026 plans.
What he's saying: Walz acknowledged the loss of Hortman in his two-minute announcement video, which shows a photo of the two political allies as his voiceover touts an upcoming paid family leave law and other legislation they worked together to pass.
- "I'm heartbroken and angry about the beautiful people we have lost to gun violence," he said. "But it's in these moments we have to come together. We can't lose hope."
The video also nods to his battles with the Trump administration, with Walz pledging to "never stop fighting to protect us from the chaos, corruption and cruelty coming out of Washington."
The other side: Republican critics countered that Walz has been a "proven failure" in his time in state office and on the national campaign trail, citing concerns about fraud, projections of a future state budget deficit and past misstatements that resurfaced during his vice presidential bid.
- "Minnesotans cannot take another four years of Tim Walz," House Republican Whip Tom Emmer said in a statement.
What we're watching: Walz — who told Axios in July that he'd rule out a 2028 presidential bid if he runs for state office again — will need to tap someone to join him on the ticket as lieutenant governor.
- His current No. 2, Peggy Flanagan, announced a run for U.S. Senate earlier this year, months after Axios and other outlets reported that rising tensions in the wake of the 2024 election had fueled a rift between the political allies.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from Republicans.