Sen.Amy Klobuchar announced on Thursday her candidacy for governor of Minnesota, saying her home state was in need of a leader who could "fix things in our state" and who would "stand up and not be rubber stamps" to the Trump administration."I believe we must stand up for what’s right and fix what’s wrong," Klobuchar said in a video message announcing her run.
"That’s why today, I am announcing my candidacy for governor of the state of Minnesota.""I like my job in the Senate," she added."But I love our state more than any job."Sen.
Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, speaks during a field hearing on immigration Friday, Jan.16, 2026, in St.
Paul, Minn.Abbie Parr/APThe announcement arrived at a turbulent time in Minnesota, where thousands of federal agents have been carrying out Operation Metro Surge, a Trump administration operation with the stated goal of detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants.Federal agents have been involved this month the fatal shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis, incidents that have spurred further protests in the state and around the country.That ongoing operation has been decried by local leaders, including Tim Walz, the current governor, who on Jan.5 ended his bid for reelection.US Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota, speaks during a news conference to discuss President Donald Trump's tariff policies and their impacts on small businesses, outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on November 5, 2025.Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty ImagesWalz, who served as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in 2024, said as he bowed out that he would not be able to give a campaign all of his attention as he worked to defend Minnesota against allegations of fraud and right-wing attacks -- including from President Donald Trump.Prior to his announcement, Walz came under fire amid allegations of fraud by child-care centers in Minnesota.
The governor had said the state was investigating alleged fraud and he slammed rhetoric targeting t...