Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) will likely announce he is dropping his reelection bid for a third term on Monday, according to a report by state political insider Blois Olson posted on X Sunday night. Walz’s office confirmed that he will hold an 11 a.m. CST press conference on Monday.
Walz became a national laughingstock in 2024 when he was selected by Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris to be her vice presidential running mate, where he displayed a rather flamboyant campaign style while describing himself as a “knucklehead” in his lone debate with Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance.
Harris and Walz lost an electoral college landslide to President Donald Trump and Vance in the November 2024 presidential election.
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Walz, who announced his reelection bid last September, has faced heavy criticism as revelations of a massive fraud scandal involving Somali immigrants who reportedly looted billions of dollars from federally funded state programs for the poor and disabled with massive numbers of false claims.
The news of Walz’s likely departure from the race comes after the Washington Post labeled him a “punching bag” in a headline on Saturday:
Tim Walz was a Democratic hopeful. Now, he’s a Republican punching bag. https://t.co/ab7US8M2Fa
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) January 3, 2026
Blois Olson’s report posted on X, “BREAKING: Sources: @govtimwalz will make announcement about his political future Mon. He’s likely to drop out of the 2026 #mngov race. He met w/ @SenAmyKlobuchar on Sun. Full analysis in tmrw http://TheDailyAgenda.com + live on @wccoradio at 6:20AM w/ @vsawkar”
BREAKING: Sources: @govtimwalz will make announcement about his political future Mon. He’s likely to drop out of the 2026 #mngov race.
He met w/ @SenAmyKlobuchar on Sun. Full analysis in tmrw https://t.co/4zJJytH4Aw + live on @wccoradio at 6:20AM w/ @vsawkar
— Blois Olson (@bloisolson) January 5, 2026
KMSP-TV reported late Sunday night on Walz’s plans to speak to reporters Monday morning, but was not able to confirm he would drop out (excerpt):
Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson announced Governor Walz would hold a news conference at 11 a.m. to take questions and discuss “the news of the day.” No other details about the press conference were shared by the governor’s office.
…FOX 9 has not independently confirmed Olson’s report. FOX 9 reached out to the governor’s office late Sunday night for comment but has not yet heard back.
President Trump sharply criticized Walz in comments to reporters on Air Force One Sunday night during a return flight to Washington from Florida, “This very stupid, low I Q governor, he is a stupid man… he is a corrupt politician, and the Somalians are ripping off our country to the tune of it looks like $19 billion, but that is only what they can find. It could be 50.”
Trump on Minnesota: This very stupid, low I Q governor, he is a stupid man… he is a corrupt politician, and the Somalians are ripping off our country to the tune of it looks like $19 billion, but that is only what they can find. It could be 50. pic.twitter.com/nSqaDo5Xqu
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 5, 2026
Walz’s reelection video posted last September:
I’m running for reelection to continue serving as Governor of Minnesota.
We’ve made historic progress in our state, but we’re not done yet. I’m staying in the fight — and I need you with me. pic.twitter.com/NsVCXfq4M2
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) September 16, 2025
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