Sen. Amy Klobuchar has won the Democratic nomination for governor of Minnesota, advancing her bid to succeed outgoing Gov. Tim Walz. The U.S. senator defeated a field of challengers in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primary.
Klobuchar will now compete against the winner of the Republican primary in the general election. She enters the race with significant name recognition and political experience, having represented Minnesota in the Senate since 2007 and previously serving as Hennepin County attorney. She also sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
Her gubernatorial campaign comes as the state grapples with fallout from a massive fraud scandal involving Minnesota government programs. Federal prosecutors estimate the fraud could cost taxpayers over $9 billion. Republicans have criticized Walz and state Democrats for their handling of the issue.
Walz announced earlier this year that he would not seek another term as governor amid the growing criticism. Klobuchar has vowed to overhaul state government and crack down on fraud. In May, she stated that the fraud was "unacceptable and it must end." Her campaign platform includes a policy plank titled "Make Government Accountable and Root out Fraud," promising an immediate crackdown and a "top-to-bottom audit" of state government starting on "day one."
Klobuchar is currently campaigning for governor without relinquishing her Senate seat. Her current term in the Senate does not expire until January 2031. If she wins the governorship and resigns from the Senate, it would create a vacancy in Minnesota's congressional delegation.
Minnesota has not had a Republican governor since January 2011. Klobuchar aims to keep the governor's mansion in Democratic hands in November's election.