Minnesota Governor Tim Walz testifies during a House Oversight Committee hearing with U.S. governors about state policies regarding undocumented migrants, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
(Saint Paul, Minnesota) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, ending his bid for a third term amid heightened scrutiny over fraud cases in the state.
Walz said he made the decision after reassessing his campaign over the holidays, arguing that the demands of a re-election effort would distract from governing. “Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences,” Walz said in a statement.
In a separate post on X, Walz framed the decision as one rooted in priorities. “Minnesota has to come first — always,” he wrote. “Today, I’m proud of the work we’ve done to make Minnesota the best place to live and raise kids. I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”
The announcement follows a surge of attention around allegations raised by Nick Shirley, a 23-year-old self-described independent journalist whose viral video claimed widespread fraud at federally funded day care centers in Minnesota. In the video, Shirley and a companion visited multiple facilities, alleging they appeared largely empty despite receiving public funds.
Shirley claimed the activity could represent more than $110 million in fraud, a figure that has not been independently verified. Some day care operators have disputed his conclusions, saying he visited outside normal hours or misrepresented what he observed. Despite those disputes, the video amassed hundreds of millions of views across X and YouTube, drawing the attention of national political figures.
The two-term Democrat has faced increasing criticism over the state’s handling of Medicaid and other fraud cases, which prosecutors estimate could total billions of dollars. Walz has said his administration is taking aggressive steps to prevent future fraud.
Walz has also drawn sustained criticism from President Donald Trump, who has accused the governor of weak leadership and failures in oversight. Walz has dismissed Trump’s comments as “dangerous” and “depraved.”
During his time in office, Walz advanced several progressive policies, including universal free school meals, legalization of recreational marijuana, and a state-run paid family and medical leave program. He gained national attention in 2024 after being tapped as the vice presidential running mate of Kamala Harris.
Regardless, the political impact has been significant. What began as a viral video posted by a YouTuber evolved into a national controversy that reshaped Minnesota’s political landscape and accelerated Walz’s decision to exit the 2026 race.
Walz said he will now focus exclusively on governing for the remainder of his term.
