Klobuchar files paperwork needed to run for governor in Minnesota

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

01/22/2026 02:42 PM EST


Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar filed paperwork with the state’s campaign finance board on Thursday, ahead of a potential gubernatorial bid.

A person close to the Democratic senator, granted anonymity to describe private conversations, cautioned that it was a “preliminary step necessary for any candidate considering a run.” They added that Klobuchar “will make an announcement of her plans in the coming days.”

Klobuchar’s potential entrance into the Minnesota governor’s race could give Democrats some breathing room in the blue-leaning state, after an ongoing federal probe into a fraud scandal threatened to engulf Gov. Tim Walz’s reelection bid. Walz announced earlier this month that he would no longer seek reelection to a third term.

Minnesota Democrats see Klobuchar, the state’s highest vote-getter, as a boost to the party’s chances down-ballot. Klobuchar is expected to clear the Democratic field. On Tuesday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) announced that he won’t run for governor.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/22/klobuchar-files-paperwork-minnesota-governor-00741649

[2naSalit]

1. Who will...

Be running for her Senate seat? How would that take place?

[FakeNoose]

2. She was just re-elected in 2024

... so she doesn't have to give up her Senate seat in order to run for Governor. If the voters put her into the Governorship, then there will be a special election for the Senate afterwards.

[2naSalit]

3. Thanks!

[ancianita]

5. I hope retiring Gov Tim Walz runs for her seat. He's been in Congress before, so he'll be a welcome part of the caucus.

[FakeNoose]

6. Also Al Franken might be available

Either one of those guys would be great!

[SamuelTheThird]

4. She went to a hockey game rather than dealing with the ice situation

[riversedge]

7. She would be a very good GOV IMHO. YET, that would mean MN would

lose her as their Senator.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. The Senate allows appointments until a special or general election

(in that circumstance, if it were a House seat, it would be vacant until an election decided by the state).

17th Amendment

Amendment XVII

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

(snip)

I don't know if Keith Ellison wants to jump back into the D.C. fire again (he decided to drop out of the gubernatorial race once Klobuchar announced) but he might be good as a (seasoned) temp appointment for the seat if he wants to go back to D.C.