Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Anticipated to Drop Bid for Re-election Following Somali Fraud Scandal

Embattled Governor Tim Walz has called a press conference for today where he is expected to announce that he is bowing out of Minnesota’s 2026 gubernatorial race rather than seeking a third term.

Walz has faced increasing scrutiny and national criticism after federal probes uncovered what appear to be billions of dollars in social services and welfare fraud among Minnesota’s Somali community.

Walz has scheduled an impromptu news conference at 11 a.m.today where he says he will “discuss news of the day.”

The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that Walz has faced increasing calls from Republican lawmakers in Minnesota to drop his bid for re-election or to resign.

Meanwhile, Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) officials have likewise expressed concerns over the incumbent governor’s political future with nearly a dozen Minnesota Democrats telling the Star Tribune that they thought Walz should not seek reelection.

Calls for Walz to face accountability have snowballed following the release of independent journalist Nick Shirley’s viral video showing what appear to be fraudulent Somali-run daycare centers that have received hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

Costs to taxpayers could run as high as $9 billion due to fake enrollments in childcare, Medicaid, and food assistance programs through centers run by Somali immigrants in the state.

According to the NY Post, federal officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have launched an operation in Minnesota focused on “identifying, arresting, and removing criminals who are defrauding the American people.”

The Trump administration is also threatening to freeze certain federal child care funds until states provide additional verification for the programs.

Minnesotans may finally be ready to “turn the page” on Governor Walz.