A recent poll in Minnesota indicates that incumbent
Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Governor Tim Walz,
now finishing his second term in the office, no longer
has net positive approval among polled Minnesota
voters. The negative margin, according to the poll, is
small, although the negative number is larger when
the question is asked if voters would support him for
re-election to a third term.
Governor Walz has not yet announced whether he
intends to run for a third term, but following his
unsuccessful candidacy as the vice presidential
nominee on the 2024 Kamala Harris Democrtic
presidential ticket, he has indicated his continued
interest in national politics. He has been mentioned
as a possible presidential candidate in 2028,
Should he decide to run in 2028, it would seem
likely he would want to be running as a governor
rather than a private citizen three years out of office
Before becoming governor, Walz served as a
congressman from Minnesota’s First District.
Although several DFL elected officials are known
to be interested in running for governor, no one
is likely to make any announcements until Walz
make his decision. If he does run, it is also likely
no major figure in his party would run against him.
Meanwhile, Republicans sensing a growing
strength among Minnesota voters, have at least
three serious candidates who could challenge
Walz in 2024.
Dr, Scott Jensen was Walz’s GOP opponent in
2022. A respected medical doctor, his candidacy
was hurt by his outspoken pro-life position in
the campaign. He has successfully rebuffed
efforts to take away his medical license, efforts
widely perceived as political and groundless.
He continues to have support in rural Minnesota.
GOP State Representative Kristin Robbins has
made a mark in her terms in the state House
of representatives, and has won election and
re-election decisively in her suburban Minneapolis
district. Before her election, she served as executive
director of the Economics Club of Minnesota
where she worked with top leaders of the Minnesota
business community.
Kendall Quarles is a respected black entrepreneur
who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2020, but
has stayed in public life through his regular TV
commentary.
Other candidates might enter this race which could
easily be very competitive in November, 2026.
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Copyright (c) 2025 by Barry Casselman. All rights reserved.
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