Sen.Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has won the Democratic nomination for governor of Minnesota as she continues her bid to replace outgoing Gov.
Tim Walz, who dropped out of his re-election bid in the midst of a massive fraud scandal.Klobuchar, Minnesota's senior U.S.senator and a former Democratic presidential candidate, defeated a field of long-shot challengers in Tuesday's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primary.Klobuchar will move on to face the winner of the crowded GOP primary in November.MN GOVERNOR RACE TO REPLACE WALZ SEES MAJOR SHAKEUP AS GOP CONTENDER ENDS CAMPAIGN: 'DON'T SEE A PATH'Sen.
Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., speaks during a rally in support of a "Yes" vote on Proposition 50, a congressional redistricting measure in the November 4 special election, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, on Nov.1, 2025.
(David Swanson/REUTERS)Walz announced earlier this year that he would not seek another term as governor as his administration faced intense criticism over its handling of fraud involving Minnesota government programs that federal prosecutors say could end up costing the taxpayers over $9 billion.The fraud issue has loomed over Minnesota politics, with Republicans hammering Walz and state Democrats over what they say was a failure to prevent the misuse of taxpayer dollars.Klobuchar entered the race with significant advantages in name recognition and political experience.She has represented Minnesota in the Senate since 2007 and previously served as Hennepin County attorney.She also sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 before ending her campaign and endorsing former President Joe Biden.KLOBUCHAR VOWS FRAUD CRACKDOWN, AUDIT OF MN GOV’T AS GOP BLASTS WALZ TIESMinnesota Gov.
Tim Walz testifies during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in the U.S.Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2026.
The hearing examined alleged misuse of federal funds for Minnesota social services and Medicaid programs....