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Minnesota lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives applauded the Minnesota governor. Tim Walz the decision not to seek re-election but has doubled down on demands for accountability.
“Governor Walz's decision not to seek re-election is the only acceptable outcome after the massive fraud that was perpetrated under his leadership,” said Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn.
Fischbach, a member of the powerful House Rules Committee, previously served as lieutenant governor of the North Star State in 2018.
Republican congressional candidate Michelle Fischbach speaks during a rally for President Donald Trump at Bemidji Regional Airport on September 18, 2020 in Bemidji, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturin/Getty Images)
“His career is over because Walz and the Democrats allowed Minnesota to become a national playground for scammers, and his radical negligence cost Minnesotans billions,” Fischbach said.
Minnesota first elected Walz as governor in 2018 and then re-elected him in 2022. Walz briefly ran for the White House on Vice President Kamala Harris' ticket in 2024, but after he failed, he announced plans to seek a third term as governor.
His decision to drop out of that race comes amid new revelations of fraud in Minnesota showing the state may have lost. as much as 9 billion dollars under Walz's leadership due to abuse of government assistance programs.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and First Lady Gwen Walz attend a candlelight vigil outside the State Capitol building on June 18, 2025 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturin/Getty Images)
In recent months, investigators have discovered large-scale fraudulent schemes masquerading as kindergartens, health care workers, food assistance programs and more. By falsifying services or misrepresenting the number of people they purported to serve, these schemes siphoned off billions in public funds.
Walz's current term ends in January 2027. Rep. Pete Stauber, a Minnesota Republican, says it should end sooner.
“Governor Walz's decision not to seek re-election does not absolve him of responsibility,” Stauber said. “Minnesotans deserve full accountability. Under Tim Walz's leadership, fraudsters stole at least $9 billion from taxpayers, the state's $18 billion surplus was squandered, taxes were increased by $10 billion, and illegal immigrants were given free college tuition, health care, and driver's licenses.”
“If Walz cannot run for re-election, he cannot serve as governor. The news this morning should have been: “Tim Walz is resigning,” Stauber added.
Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., speaks at a Congressional Hockey Caucus reception March 6, 2024, in Washington. (John McCreary/Getty Images)
Looking ahead, Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., lamented that Minnesota's rogue gangs will take time to crack down and that the state faces a long road to healing.
“Unfortunately, it will take years to undo the damage he has done to the state of Minnesota. Minnesota's next governor will have a huge challenge to root out systemic waste, fraud and abuse. I am committed to working with my fellow Minnesotans to ensure that we elect a Republican governor who will restore trust in state government and the reputation of our great state,” Finstad said. in message X.
Despite Walz's statement, Fischbach said Republican efforts to investigate fraud and abuse in Minnesota will continue.
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“The era of looking the other way is over. Minnesota Democrats: Take note. We are coming to justice and will continue to investigate until every dollar stolen is accounted for,” Fischbach said.
