On September 16, 2025, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stood before supporters at Deerwood Elementary School in Eagan and declared his intention to seek a third consecutive term—an unprecedented move in the state's modern history. The announcement, delivered both in person and through a video posted on social media, marks the opening salvo of what promises to be one of Minnesota’s most closely watched and hotly contested gubernatorial races in decades.
Walz’s decision comes at a time when Minnesota, like much of the country, is grappling with a seemingly endless cycle of crises—some natural, others man-made. In the months leading up to his announcement, the state was rocked by the tragic mass shooting at the Church of the Annunciation, which left two children dead and 21 others wounded. Just weeks prior, the assassination of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a close friend and political ally, had sent shockwaves through the Capitol and left Walz visibly shaken. “This one about broke me,” he confessed to WCCO at the Minnesota State Fair in late August, reflecting on the impact of Hortman’s death.
But if grief and crisis have defined much of Walz’s nearly eight years in office, so too has a relentless drive to push Minnesota forward. As reported by the Minnesota Reformer, Walz has weathered a once-in-a-century pandemic, civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, fiscal instability, and a series of political and public safety crises. His administration’s response to COVID-19—implementing stay-at-home orders, mask mandates, and vaccination requirements for state workers—was polarizing but, according to state health data, resulted in lower death rates than most other states.
In his campaign launch video, Walz struck a tone that was both defiant and optimistic. “We’re not done yet. And that’s why I’m running for reelection. I want to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed—in every corner of the state,” he said, echoing the inclusive message that first propelled him to the governor’s mansion in 2018.
Walz’s tenure has been marked by an ambitious progressive agenda, particularly after Democrats secured a ‘trifecta’—control of the governorship and both legislative chambers—in 2023 and 2024. Under his leadership, Minnesota passed laws providing universal free school meals, legalized recreational marijuana, codified abortion rights, implemented paid family leave (set to take effect in 2026), and mandated universal background checks for gun purchases. Other achievements include restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals, expanding drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants, and creating a free college program for working-class families. The governor has also touted rising graduation rates and tax cuts for middle-class families among his administration’s accomplishments.
“We’ve made historic progress in our state, but we’re not done yet. I’m staying in the fight,” Walz declared in his video announcement, as cited by Roll Call. Yet, he acknowledged the pain of recent tragedies: “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, because I’ve seen what we can do when we work together.”
Despite his progressive record and national profile—he was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, running alongside Kamala Harris—Walz faces significant headwinds. Polls suggest Minnesotans are divided about his bid for a third term. A June 2025 KSTP poll found only 43% of respondents supported another run, while a Star Tribune poll indicated that half of Minnesotans did not want Walz to seek reelection. Discontent is especially strong among independents and voters outside the urban core of Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
Republicans, eager to break their nearly two-decade losing streak in statewide races, have seized on issues ranging from public safety to allegations of fraud in state programs. The Feeding Our Future scandal, which saw $250 million in COVID-19 relief funds allegedly stolen, has become a central talking point for the GOP. “Minnesotans cannot afford four more years of higher taxes, failing schools, unsafe streets, fraud and policies that undermine fairness for women and girls,” said Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash in a statement. “Minnesota families are worse off under his leadership. It’s time for new leadership and a fresh direction. Minnesota deserves better.”
Several Republicans have already announced their intention to challenge Walz, including former gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, businessman Kendall Qualls, Jeff Johnson, Brad Kohler, and Phillip Parrish. Robbins, who chairs a new House committee focused on fraud, has made government accountability a centerpiece of her campaign.
Walz’s political calculus is further complicated by the departure of his Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026. Flanagan has been a vocal supporter, describing Walz as “an incredibly effective campaigner” and promising to endorse him. “He’s an incredible effective campaigner, and I think once he’s on the road, he’s unstoppable,” Flanagan told the Minnesota Reformer. Their partnership has been central to the administration’s “One Minnesota” vision, though Flanagan concedes the state is more divided now than when they first took office.
Walz’s campaign is also shaped by the broader national context. He has positioned himself as a bulwark against the second Trump administration, vowing in his announcement video to “never stop fighting to protect us from the chaos, corruption and cruelty coming out of Washington.” While he did not mention Trump by name, the implication was clear. As DFL Chair Richard Carlbom put it: “Minnesotans trust that Tim Walz is ready to stand up for them, for their liberties and their constitutional rights and defend them from an authoritarian in the White House.”
Yet, Walz has also shown a willingness to compromise. In 2024, facing a divided Legislature and a looming budget deficit, he negotiated a two-year budget deal that required concessions to Republicans, including eliminating state-funded health insurance for undocumented adults—a move that angered some in his own party. Reflecting on the deal, Walz said, “This is why I got into this business, to try and make a difference, work together, compromise, find common ground. The commitment to making democracy work was as strong as I’ve seen.”
With the campaign now officially underway, Walz is betting that Minnesotans will reward his crisis management, legislative achievements, and vision for the future, even as his opponents argue it’s time for a change. If successful, he would become the first Minnesota governor to win three consecutive four-year terms—a feat that has eluded even the state’s most storied political figures.
As the state braces for another heated election season, the choice before voters is clear: continue on the path charted by Walz, or turn the page and seek a new direction. The coming months will reveal which vision resonates most with Minnesotans, but one thing is certain—the stakes have rarely been higher.
