If you’re looking for a quick name, it’s Tim Walz. He is the 41st Governor of Minnesota. But honestly, just knowing his name doesn't tell you the whole story of what’s going on in the North Star State right now. Things have gotten incredibly messy lately.
Walz has been in the governor’s mansion since 2019. He’s a former high school geography teacher and football coach. He spent years in the Army National Guard. For a long time, he had this "Midwest Dad" vibe that really resonated with people. Then, 2024 happened. He jumped onto the national stage as Kamala Harris’s running mate. He didn't win that race, but it changed everything about how people see him back home.
Who is the Minnesota Governor today?
As of January 2026, Tim Walz is still the guy in charge. He’s serving his second term after winning reelection back in 2022. But the mood in St. Paul is heavy. Usually, a governor in his second term is looking at their "legacy" or maybe eyeing a third run. Walz actually did announce he was going for a third term last September. That would have been historic. No Minnesota governor has served three four-year terms in a row since the rules changed in the 60s.
But then, everything shifted.
On January 5, 2026, Walz dropped a bombshell. He announced he’s not seeking reelection after all. He’s dropping out of the 2026 race. It’s been a wild ride for him. He cited the need to focus on the job and basically said he couldn't give a campaign his all while the state is dealing with some pretty serious drama.
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The Fraud Scandals and Political Pressure
You can’t talk about who is the Minnesota Governor without talking about the Department of Justice. Just yesterday—January 16, 2026—news broke that the DOJ is investigating both Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
It stems from some massive fraud allegations involving social services and child care programs. We’re talking about billions of dollars that allegedly went missing or were stolen by fraudsters while the state was supposed to be watching. Republicans, led by folks like U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, have been hammering him on this for months. They’re calling it "rampant corruption."
Walz denies he did anything wrong. He says he's being targeted by "political gamesmanship." But the pressure is real. It’s a big part of why he decided to step away from the 2026 race.
Life Before the Governor's Office
Before he was the face of Minnesota politics, Walz was a teacher at Mankato West High School. He coached the football team to a state championship. That’s where the "Coach Walz" nickname comes from.
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- Military Service: He served 24 years in the National Guard, retiring as a Master Sergeant.
- Congress: He represented Minnesota's 1st District in the U.S. House for over a decade (2007–2019).
- The Big Win: He first won the governorship in 2018, succeeding Mark Dayton.
He’s married to Gwen Walz, who has been a very active First Lady, especially on education and prison reform issues. They have two kids, Hope and Gus. You might remember them from the 2024 campaign trail; they were everywhere.
The Peggy Flanagan Factor
You can't mention Walz without mentioning Peggy Flanagan. She’s the Lieutenant Governor. She’s a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and is currently the highest-ranking Native American woman in executive office in the country.
She’s not just a sidekick. Flanagan is a massive political force in her own right. She just announced she’s running for the U.S. Senate in 2026, looking to take the seat being vacated by Tina Smith.
What has Walz actually done?
Whether you love him or hate him, his record is huge. Because the Democrats (the DFL in Minnesota) had a "trifecta"—meaning they controlled the House, Senate, and Governor's office—they passed a mountain of legislation in 2023 and 2024.
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- Universal School Meals: Every kid in Minnesota gets free breakfast and lunch now, regardless of income.
- Reproductive Rights: He signed the PRO Act, which codified abortion rights into state law.
- Climate Goals: A law requiring Minnesota to hit 100% clean energy by 2040.
- Paid Family Leave: A statewide program that’s just starting to roll out.
It hasn't all been smooth. The state has also dealt with the tragic assassination of House Speaker Melissa Hortman last June, which absolutely rocked the Capitol. Walz has been pushing for stricter gun laws ever since, but it’s been a massive uphill battle with a divided public.
The 2026 Race: What’s Next?
Now that we know who is the Minnesota Governor currently, the big question is who comes next. Since Walz isn't running, the field is wide open. There are rumors that Senator Amy Klobuchar might come home to run for Governor. On the Republican side, people are looking at State Representative Kristin Robbins or maybe even Mike Lindell.
It's going to be a messy election year.
If you’re trying to keep up with the Minnesota Governor, you should keep an eye on the official MN.gov Newsroom. They post his executive orders and statements daily. It’s the best way to see what he’s actually signing versus what people are just talking about on social media.
Actionable Next Steps:
To stay truly informed on Minnesota's leadership during this transition period, follow these three steps:
- Check the Legislative Tracker: Visit the Minnesota Legislature website to see which of Walz's final term priorities are actually moving through committees.
- Monitor the DOJ Investigation: Keep an eye on federal court filings regarding the "Feeding Our Future" and related social service fraud cases, as these will likely define the final year of his governorship.
- Watch the Primary Filings: Since Walz is out, the filing deadline in May 2026 will be the "real" start of the race to replace him.