Amy Klobuchar files paperwork for Minnesota governor run

What we're hearing: A source close to the senator called Thursday's creation of a "Minnesotans for Klobuchar" committee with state campaign finance regulators a "preliminary step necessary for any candidate considering a run."

• The source said the senator will announce her plans "in the coming days."

Catch up fast: Walz scrapped his plans to run for a third term earlier this month, as scrutiny into his administration's response to fraud in state-run social services programs intensified.

• That move paved the way for Klobuchar, who met with Walz privately before he announced his decision, to jump into the race.

State of play: Democrats have swept Minnesota's statewide elections for two decades.

• Still, Walz's perceived vulnerabilities over fraud and other issues had attracted a crowded field of Republican challengers, including House Speaker Lisa Demuth and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.
• Many of those leading candidates say they'll stay in the race and continue to make the case to voters that Democrats as a whole haven't done enough to crack down on fraud.

What we're watching: Whether Klobuchar attracts any serious competition in her campaign for the DFL nomination.

• Several high-profile Democrats, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, have already ruled out a run for governor.