‘NEVER AGAIN’: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says his time as a political candidate is over and he will now find “other ways to serve.” Walz has faced severe backlash for his handling of Minnesota’s fraud scandal and as the state has become the epicenter of anti-ICE unrest.

‘NEVER AGAIN’: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says his time as a political candidate is over and he will now find “other ways to serve.”

Walz has faced severe backlash for his handling of Minnesota’s fraud scandal and as the state has become the epicenter of anti-ICE unrest.

‘Never Again’: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Rules Out Future Political Campaigns

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced on Thursday that he will never again run for elected office, saying his experience as a political candidate is behind him and that he plans to “find other ways to serve.”

The two-term Democratic governor, 61, who was also the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee in 2024, made the remarks in an interview with MS NOW. Walz had already dropped his bid for a third term in the 2026 governor’s race amid mounting political pressure.

Walz’s decision comes as Minnesota grapples with a sprawling fraud scandal involving alleged theft of federal funds in state social-service programs. The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, with opponents making fraud central to political campaigns. Walz acknowledged the political heat but framed his departure from future races as a choice to focus on governance rather than campaigning.

At the same time, Minnesota has emerged as a flashpoint in clashes over federal immigration enforcement. The state has seen intense civil unrest after the deaths of two U.S. citizens during confrontations with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and the deployment of thousands of ICE personnel under a federal operation. These events have heightened tensions between local leaders and the federal government.

Walz said he wants to concentrate on addressing the issues facing Minnesota rather than engaging in electoral politics, suggesting there are “other ways to serve” outside of campaigning. His announcement reshapes the political landscape in the state, as figures such as U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar have already launched bids to succeed him as governor.