U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is weighing a run for Minnesota governor, sources tell Axios.
Why it matters: The four-term senator — one of the state's highest-profile and most popular Democrats — would be an instant frontrunner in the race to succeed DFL Gov. Tim Walz.
State of play: The buzz about a Klobuchar bid comes on the heels of Walz's Monday announcement that he is scrapping plans to run for an unprecedented third consecutive term.
- Reports that the two top Democrats met privately over the weekend — and the registration of several website domain names such as Klobucharforgovernor.com — further fueled the speculation.
What we're hearing: Klobuchar is actively weighing a gubernatorial bid, sources told Axios.
- One source familiar with her thinking said a final decision hadn't been made. Another source indicated she is likely to jump into the race.
- Multiple DFL operatives and insiders in Minnesota told Axios on Monday that they expect Klobuchar to enter the race, with one source close to Klobuchar saying she's "seriously considering" a run.
Catch up fast: Klobuchar, a former Hennepin County Attorney, has ascended the ranks of Democratic leadership since her election to the Senate in 2006.
- Her 2020 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination further raised her national profile and fundraising network.
- Klobuchar's broad appeal in the state has led to double-digit victories in all four of her Senate campaigns. In 2024, she outperformed the Democratic presidential ticket by five percentage points.
What we're watching: Whether Klobuchar's entrance into the race deters other Democrats weighing a bid — or prompts some Republican candidates to reconsider their own campaigns.
- Former Rep. Dean Phillips, who ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat, said on X that he will not run.
The bottom line: If elected, Klobuchar, 65, would be the state's first female governor.
- A win would also create a rare mid-term opening for her Senate seat, which would be filled by the governor upon her resignation.
