Month: January 2026

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday that she is running for governor of Minnesota, launching a high-profile campaign at a moment of political upheaval and heightened tension in the state. Her decision follows Gov. Tim Walz’s unexpected move earlier this month to abandon his bid for a third term, opening the door to a wide-open contest.

Klobuchar posted on social media: “Minnesotans, we’ve been through a lot. And I believe this moment calls for grit, resilience, and faith in each other. I believe we must stand up for what’s right. And fix what’s wrong. Today, I’m announcing my candidacy for Governor.”  She went on to say in a video message: “These times call for leaders who can stand up and not be rubber stamps of this administration, but who are also willing to find common ground and fix things in our state.” Framing her bid as a call for steady leadership, Klobuchar said Minnesota needs someone who can restore confidence, protect public safety, and confront federal overreach without deepening political divisions. “I like my job in the Senate,” she said, “but I love our state more than any job.”

Klobuchar’s announcement comes during a period of intense strain in Minnesota, fueled by an aggressive federal immigration enforcement effort and a series of violent incidents that have shaken communities statewide. In recent weeks, two Minnesotans — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, triggering protests and renewed scrutiny of immigration tactics. Klobuchar has repeatedly criticized the surge of federal officers, saying ICE is “making us less safe” and calling its operations deeply troubling.

Klobuchar – a four-term senator (first elected to the Senate in 2006) and former Hennepin County attorney – enters the race as the dominant Democratic contender. No major rivals from her party have stepped forward, and her long record of statewide victories is expected to discourage challengers. If elected, Klobuchar would become Minnesota’s first female governor. Her departure from the Senate would allow the sitting governor to appoint a temporary replacement until a special election is held. She is not up for Senate reelection until 2030.

In her launch video, Klobuchar referenced the state’s recent hardships, including  a mass shooting at a Minneapolis-area church last summer, and the assassination of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. Klobuchar also pledged to confront alleged fraud in state programs, an issue that contributed to Walz’s withdrawal from the race. Investigations into a massive child care and nonprofit fraud scheme — centered on Feeding Our Future — have drawn national attention and fueled political attacks from the Trump administration. Klobuchar said she would aggressively pursue accountability, vowing to ensure “the people who steal taxpayer money go to jail” and promising to overhaul state systems to prevent future abuse.

The governor’s race is shaping up to be competitive. Republicans already face a crowded primary field that includes former state senator Scott Jensen, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Kristin Robbins, and businessman Kendall Qualls. Minnesota has not elected a Republican governor in nearly 20 years, but GOP leaders see an opening amid the state’s recent turmoil.

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The Senate failed to advance a government spending package on Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown set to begin just after midnight Friday. Democrats blocked a package of six spending bills, as the White House worked on a deal to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from other departments.

The procedural vote to move the legislation forward failed 45–55, well short of the 60 votes required. While all Democrats voted against advancing the measure, several Republicans also broke ranks. Senate Majority Leader John Thune voted “no” as a procedural move that allows him to bring the measure back up if negotiations produce a deal.

At the center of the impasse is funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are demanding major reforms to immigration enforcement agencies following two fatal shootings in Minnesota involving federal agents — the death of Renee Good earlier this month and the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti over the weekend. Those incidents intensified calls to separate DHS funding from the broader package so changes could be negotiated without risking shutdowns at other federal agencies.

Democratic leaders want the five remaining bills — which cover funding for the military, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Head Start, and several cabinet departments — passed immediately, while DHS would receive only short-term funding. That temporary extension would allow time for negotiations on reforms aimed at tightening oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

Among Democrats’ demands are ending roving patrols, restricting agents from wearing masks, requiring body cameras, tightening warrant rules, and holding federal agents to the same use-of-force standards as state and local law enforcement. “Until ICE is properly reined in and overhauled legislatively, the DHS funding bill doesn’t have the votes to pass,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

While Democratic leaders expressed cautious optimism, White House officials were more reserved, and no formal deal had been announced by late Thursday. President Trump said he was hopeful a prolonged shutdown could be avoided, noting that talks were “getting close.” Even if an agreement is finalized in the Senate, a brief partial shutdown appears likely. Any revised funding package would need approval from the House, which is in recess until Monday. That timing means some agencies could begin shutdown procedures over the weekend, though the practical effects would be limited.

With Republicans holding 53 Senate seats, at least seven Democratic votes are needed to advance the legislation. Thune acknowledged the difficulty of navigating changes that would also need to pass the House, where some conservatives have warned they could oppose a revised DHS bill.

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