Cook Political Report: “Minnesota Republicans entered 2026 giddy at the possibility of ousting Gov. Tim Walz, hoping a wave of discontent over a sprawling fraud scandal would help them deny the Democrat a third term. But Walz’s January decision to end his reelection bid under intense pressure from the GOP appears to have come back to bite his critics. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a popular four-term incumbent who can’t be easily tied to waste in state government, quickly unified her party behind a gubernatorial campaign that leaves Republicans without a viable path to victory.”

“Given Klobuchar’s long track record of electoral success, the overall national climate and the prospect of an ugly GOP primary fight that probably won’t be settled until Aug. 11, this race shifts from Likely Democrat to Solid Democrat.”

Chris Madel (R) made a stunning exit from the Minnesota governor’s race, saying he cannot support the national GOP’s “stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so,” the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Said Madel: “United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear. United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That’s wrong.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Thursday took the first step toward a run for Minnesota governor by filing campaign paperwork, KTSP reports.

Jesse Ventura, the former wrestling star who was elected Minnesota governor in 1998, said that he was thinking about running for governor again, KMSP reports.

Said Ventura: “I did one term. I am owed a second.”

He added: “Somebody needs to clean up what the Democrats and Republicans constantly wreck. And you notice I lump them together.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) announced he was dropping his re-election bid.

Said Walz: “As I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all. Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute l can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences.”

He added: “So l’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”

The New York Times confirms Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is considering seeking the office.

“Gov. Tim Walz (D) will hold a press conference on Monday about his political future,” the Washington Examiner reports.

“The press conference follows numerous rumors that Walz will not seek reelection as governor. He met with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on Sunday about his plans, according to Minnesota media personality Blois Olson. It is speculated that Walz will announce he is not seeking reelection. It has also been reported that if Walz does drop out, Klobuchar might declare her candidacy. However, there have been no confirmations as of yet.”

“MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has filed paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota, creating a campaign committee that will allow him to raise money,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

“Lindell’s possible entrance into the race would shake up what’s become a crowded field of Republicans who are seeking to challenge DFL Gov. Tim Walz. His close proximity to President Donald Trump and prominence in the Make America Great Again movement could make him a top contender for the GOP nomination, despite concerns about his electability and promotion of debunked election fraud theories.”

“Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday he will seek a third term in the 2026 elections, hoping to beat the odds to become the longest-serving governor in a state where voters have usually said two terms were plenty,” the AP reports.

Said Walz: “I’ve seen how we help each other through the hard times. And boy, we’ve seen terrible times this year. I’m heartbroken and angry about the beautiful people we lost to gun violence. But it’s in these moments we have to come together. We can’t lose hope because I’ve seen what we can do when we work together.”

“These are challenging times for Tim Walz, the unsuccessful 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The two-term Minnesota governor campaigned on the national ticket for just 91 days, but that was enough to turn off some home-state voters. A poll this summer by the Minnesota Star Tribune found Walz’s approval rating dropped to 49%—only the second time it had fallen below 50% in the survey—and about half of the state’s registered voters said he shouldn’t seek a third term in 2026.”

“Men—whom Walz was supposed to help draw to the Democratic ticket because of his experience as a high-school football coach and hunter—were especially disapproving and skeptical of him running for governor again after appearing alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris in her failed White House bid.”

MAGA election conspiracy theorist and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell is teasing a bid for governor of Minnesota, Politico reports.

Said Lindell: “I live here in Minnesota. Everywhere I go, no one wants Tim Walz. They don’t.”

Scott Jensen (R), who is running for governor of Minnesota, “repeated last week a bizarre hoax claim which has been debunked that children are being told they can identify as anthropomorphic cats and are being allowed to use litter boxes to urinate in schools,” CNN reports.

Said Jensen: “But what about education? What are we doing to our kids? Why are we telling elementary kids that they get to choose their gender this week? Why do we have litter boxes in some of the school districts so kids can pee in them, because they identify as a furry? We’ve lost our minds. We’ve lost our minds.”

A Minneapolis Star Tribune poll finds Gov. Tim Walz (D) leading challenger Scott Jensen (R), 48% to 41%.

A new SurveyUSA poll in Minnesota finds Gov. Tim Walz (D) holds a double-digit lead over each of six potential Republican challengers.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell (R) may run for Minnesota governor, Axios reports.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) announced he is running for governor, “attempting a restoration after eight years out of office that saw his DFL successor move the state in a more progressive direction at odds with Pawlenty’s tenure,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

“His entry shakes up the open governor’s race, scrambling a GOP field thus far plagued by a lack of enthusiasm from activists and financial donors. Gov. Mark Dayton is not running after his two terms, and the DFL field to replace him is also still unsettled.”