Minnesota Governor Tim Walz told MS NOW he will not seek elected office again after he finishes his current term, saying recent events persuaded him there are other ways to serve. He cited fatal federal-agent shootings in Minneapolis, Justice Department subpoenas, and intensified scrutiny over alleged child-care fraud as factors influencing his choice. Vice President Kamala Harris praised the decision as a selfless commitment to constituents.
Gov. Tim Walz: “I’ll Never Run for Elected Office Again” — Explains Why
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz served in Congress before he became governor. (Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)(Stephen Maturen)
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz told MS NOW on Wednesday that he will not seek elected office again after his current term ends.
“I will never run for an elected office again. Never again,” Walz said, reflecting on a decision he first signaled earlier this month when he announced he would not seek a third term as governor.
Walz said his choice was shaped by recent events in Minneapolis and growing political scrutiny. He praised the everyday residents he said are stepping up in the city, calling them “heroes on the streets that we don’t know their names.” He added that many of those leaders “are never going to run for office,” and that there are other ways to serve beyond holding elected office.
What He Cited
Walz’s announcement comes against a backdrop of several tensions in Minnesota politics: intensified scrutiny over alleged child-care fraud, the Justice Department’s subpoenas to state and local leaders as part of an inquiry into immigration-enforcement operations, and the recent fatal shootings by federal officers of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Those incidents drew sharp criticism from Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other Democrats.
Speaking on MS NOW, Walz said he has become a lightning rod in partisan battles: “Look, I recognize that I’m a lightning rod. I know they hate me personally, and they take it out on my constituents.” He also blamed persistent partisan “political gamesmanship” by Republicans for shaping his decision not to run again.
Walz noted that he and President Donald Trump spoke by phone recently — a call he said could signal a thaw in tensions between federal and state officials.
Reaction
Vice President Kamala Harris praised Walz’s decision, saying his choice not to seek reelection reflected a selfless commitment to the people he serves. The surprise decision has prompted wide speculation about Walz’s future public role and how Minnesota’s political landscape will shift ahead of the next gubernatorial race.
Walz emphasized he intends to continue serving his community in other ways after leaving office, even if he no longer pursues elected positions.
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