US Senator Amy Klobuchar Enters Minnesota Gubernatorial Race, Promising to Take on Trump and Unify State
In a move that is likely to shake up the Minnesota governor's race, US Senator Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday that she is running for the office. Klobuchar, who was once considered a dark horse candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and has positioned herself as a moderate voice within her party.
The decision to run for governor comes after Governor Tim Walz dropped out of the race earlier this month amidst criticism over mismanagement of taxpayer funding for child care programs. Klobuchar's entry into the fray gives Democrats a high-profile candidate and proven statewide winner, who is likely to face multiple Republican challengers in the general election.
Klobuchar cited Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota, federal officers killing two Minnesotans who protested, the assassination of a state legislative leader, and a school shooting that killed multiple children - all within the last year. She avoided direct mention of ongoing fraud investigations into the child care programs that Trump has made a political cudgel.
"I believe we must stand up for what's right and fix what's wrong," Klobuchar said in her announcement video. The senator has been among the loudest Trump critics, most recently over the immigration enforcement effort that has prompted massive protests.
Klobuchar has won across Minnesota, serving four terms in the US Senate. She is a former local prosecutor and onetime presidential candidate who positions herself as a moderate and has demonstrated the ability to win across the state. The senator won her 2024 reelection bid by nearly 16 percentage points and received 135,000 more votes than Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Klobuchar's entry into the governor's race is likely to test Trump and his fellow Republicans' uncompromising law-and-order approach and mass deportation program against Democrats' criticisms of his administration's tactics. The Minnesota contest is likely to be a marquee contest among 36 governorships on the ballot in November.
Klobuchar has been a consistent voice on issues such as immigration reform, education, and healthcare. She was among the most outspoken lawmakers during bipartisan congressional inquiries of the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters attacked the Capitol during certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory over him in the 2020 presidential election.
The senator is not without controversy herself, however. During her 2020 presidential bid, Klobuchar faced stories of disgruntled Senate staffers who described her as a difficult boss. She outlasted several better-funded candidates and ran ahead of Biden in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.
As she enters the governor's race, Klobuchar will face multiple Republican challengers, including MyPillow founder and chief executive Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Dr. Scott Jensen, a former state senator who was the party's 2022 gubernatorial candidate, and state Rep. Kristin Robbins.
The Minnesota contest is likely to be a crucial test of Trump and his fellow Republicans' ability to win in a state that has become increasingly Democratic under Biden's presidency.
In a move that is likely to shake up the Minnesota governor's race, US Senator Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday that she is running for the office. Klobuchar, who was once considered a dark horse candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and has positioned herself as a moderate voice within her party.
The decision to run for governor comes after Governor Tim Walz dropped out of the race earlier this month amidst criticism over mismanagement of taxpayer funding for child care programs. Klobuchar's entry into the fray gives Democrats a high-profile candidate and proven statewide winner, who is likely to face multiple Republican challengers in the general election.
Klobuchar cited Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota, federal officers killing two Minnesotans who protested, the assassination of a state legislative leader, and a school shooting that killed multiple children - all within the last year. She avoided direct mention of ongoing fraud investigations into the child care programs that Trump has made a political cudgel.
"I believe we must stand up for what's right and fix what's wrong," Klobuchar said in her announcement video. The senator has been among the loudest Trump critics, most recently over the immigration enforcement effort that has prompted massive protests.
Klobuchar has won across Minnesota, serving four terms in the US Senate. She is a former local prosecutor and onetime presidential candidate who positions herself as a moderate and has demonstrated the ability to win across the state. The senator won her 2024 reelection bid by nearly 16 percentage points and received 135,000 more votes than Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Klobuchar's entry into the governor's race is likely to test Trump and his fellow Republicans' uncompromising law-and-order approach and mass deportation program against Democrats' criticisms of his administration's tactics. The Minnesota contest is likely to be a marquee contest among 36 governorships on the ballot in November.
Klobuchar has been a consistent voice on issues such as immigration reform, education, and healthcare. She was among the most outspoken lawmakers during bipartisan congressional inquiries of the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters attacked the Capitol during certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory over him in the 2020 presidential election.
The senator is not without controversy herself, however. During her 2020 presidential bid, Klobuchar faced stories of disgruntled Senate staffers who described her as a difficult boss. She outlasted several better-funded candidates and ran ahead of Biden in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.
As she enters the governor's race, Klobuchar will face multiple Republican challengers, including MyPillow founder and chief executive Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Dr. Scott Jensen, a former state senator who was the party's 2022 gubernatorial candidate, and state Rep. Kristin Robbins.
The Minnesota contest is likely to be a crucial test of Trump and his fellow Republicans' ability to win in a state that has become increasingly Democratic under Biden's presidency.
... but Amy Klobuchar is trying to clean it up by running for Governor 
. Plus, she's been all over the state, winning elections and listening to people's concerns 
.
... she's also got some baggage. There have been stories about her being tough on staff members during her presidential campaign 
... so we'll see how that plays out in the Governor's race.
. And if she wins, it might just give Democrats a much-needed boost in the midterms 
she's got some good points about trump's immigration crackdown and all that but let's be real, it's not like she's never had to deal with drama before... remember when her staff was all salty on her? 
still, gotta respect her for trying to take on trumps influence in minnesota 
. Trump's gonna have a tough time with her on immigration, and that school shooting... it's just too much 
. I'm loving the fact that she's positioning herself as a moderate, that's exactly what we need more of 
. Can't wait to see how this all plays out in the primary, and how Trump's gonna try to spin this 
. MyPillow guy Mike Lindell? LOL what's next?!
, but i hope she can stay neutral and not get too caught up in the partisan drama 
. it'll be super interesting to see how this whole thing plays out, especially with trump still running around and stirring up trouble 
think she'll actually take on trump? idk, amy klobuchar is cool and all but can she handle the drama 
, I know it'll make life hard for the other candidates but honestly, she's got no shot 
. Minnesota folks have been super smart in their voting and they'd probably see right through her try-hard act 
. We need some actual change, not just another career politician trying to make it up the ranks 
.
. As a moderate Democrat, she might actually get things done without alienating too many people... unlike some other candidates 
. Can't wait to see how this plays out in November! 
️
, and it made me think about how politicians are like sloths... they're always trying to find their footing on the campaign trail 
. But seriously, have you guys ever noticed how politicians always promise to "unify" their state, but really they're just trying to win the next election? I mean, Amy Klobuchar is a great senator and all, but can she really bring the whole party together? 
Klobuchar as governor would defo shake things up in MN 
. Still, I think she's a more likable politician than most Repubs, and her stance on immigration reform (and taking on Trump) could go over well with voters who are fed up with his policies 
. The real question is whether she can unite the Democratic party behind her, or if the progressive wing will have some issues with her more moderate approach 
. Overall, it's gonna be a fun (and intense) race to watch 
!