Eight years after taking office, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will leave the governor’s office Jan. 4.
During his time as Minnesota’s governor, Walz has overseen major changes in state policy. With just 81 days left until Jan. 4, the governor’s office has published a website highlighting his administration’s “signature accomplishments.”
Those include what his office described as “historic” investments in education, expanded access to abortion and gender-transition procedures, and a law committing Minnesota to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. The administration also pointed to tax cuts, expanded voting rights, and investments in housing and infrastructure.
“Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan took office in January 2019 on the promise of One Minnesota: the vision that, while we are not all the same, we are at our best when we work across lines of difference to improve the lives of all Minnesotans,” Walz’ office said. “Facing unprecedented challenges, Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan led with a focus on investing in the things that matter most: children and families, economic opportunity, health and safety, and strong local communities.”
Critics, however, have questioned Walz’s record, frequently pointing to allegations of widespread fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, disputes over state spending, and concerns about public safety.
Just last week, President Donald Trump criticized Walz and his administration.
“Your Governor is an incompetent thief who doesn’t want to get involved,” Trump said in a post on social media. “He just wants to get out of town with as much as he can steal, and then, lead a quiet life.”
Trump also criticized the state over Somali gang activity, an issue The Center Square recently reported on.
“The once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants. There is Violence, Murder, and Mayhem all over the State. The people of Minnesota must fight back,” Trump said. “The Somalians should not be allowed to get away with what they are doing. They view you as weak and stupid people. Fight back Minnesota, fight back! If you need, the Federal Government will come to your rescue.”
The comments came amid reports that authorities had thwarted a Minnesota man’s alleged plot to carry out a “mass-shooting event in support of ISIS” at the Mall of America in Bloomington, a Minneapolis suburb.
Minnesota has no term limits for governors, and Walz was expected to seek a third term before unexpectedly announcing earlier this year that he would not run for reelection. The announcement came amid national scrutiny of Minnesota fraud and calls for Walz to resign, which he rejected, saying he would do so only “over my dead body.”
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar stepped in as the Democratic gubernatorial nominee and leads Republican candidate Lisa Demuth in the latest polling. Demuth has campaigned on a promise of “real change,” while Klobuchar has acknowledged that her administration would take a different approach from Walz’.
“I obviously am going to do things differently than Gov. Walz,” Klobuchar said in January when she first announced her run “We have different backgrounds. We’re going to have some different focuses.”
She has also promised to end the “status quo.”
“You expect leaders to deliver results, not excuses, and you are rightfully tired of this partisan theater and the punchlines,” Klobuchar said. “I want to transform this state.”
Walz, meanwhile, continues to promote his administration’s record.
In recent weeks, he has highlighted Minnesota’s economy as among the “strongest” nationally, “ending” veteran homelessness, and growth in the state’s healthcare sector.
It remains unclear what the 62-year-old, who also lost the 2024 vice presidential election as Kamala Harris’ running mate, plans to do after leaving office.
A Republican has not won Minnesota’s gubernatorial election since Tim Pawlenty in 2006.