I was surprised when Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced late last year that he was seeking a third term in 2026. He did so in spite of a majority of voters believing he should be done after two terms.
With that said, I shouldn't be shocked (though I am a little bit) by this announcement which dropped late Sunday evening.
A shocking development in the 2026 race for Minnesota governor as WCCO political analyst Blois Olson has learned that Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) has likely decided to drop out of the race and won't seek an unprecedented third consecutive term.
According to Olson, Walz will make an announcement about his political future on Monday, and says he's likely made the decision to drop out of the 2026 governor's race.
I've written in this space as well as speculated on my radio show about the possibility of Democrat power brokers pressuring Walz to drop his bid for a third gubernatorial term. Given the rampant waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars which have happened under his watch, there were DFL legislators voicing concern that a poor showing by Walz on Election Day 2026 could adversely impact down ballot races. Given that Democrats have a built-in electoral advantage of being the opposite party of a sitting President in his second term, the last thing they want is to prop up an incumbent Dem governor in a solidly blue state.
And let's not forget Congresswoman Shelly Morrison's disclaimer when asked is she'd consider being Walz's running mate in '26.
"I'm not gonna be the lieutenant governor, but I am going to support with everything I have, Gov. Walz, if he is the Democrat who is running," Morrison told me on Capitol Hill last week after several Democratic sources told me she's being considered by Walz for the job.
— Sydney Kashiwagi (@SydneyKashiwagi) December 16, 2025
"....if he is the Democrat who is running." Gotta wonder if Rep. Morrison was already cued in on the possibility of Walz not sticking around.
There'll be plenty of time for speculation as to whom will replace Walz as the Democrat candidate this year. But if I had to guess? Based on little more than gut instinct, I'd say Congressman Dean Phillips is likely on the short list.
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