NEW Trump Hating CANDIDATE Jumps in the RING

Person walking with stroller past numerous election campaign signs.

Senator Amy Klobuchar jumps into Minnesota’s governor race to fight President Trump’s decisive immigration enforcement, shielding state Democrats from massive fraud scandals that demand accountability.

Story Snapshot

Klobuchar announces candidacy on January 29, 2026, via video, targeting Operation Metro Surge and state fraud issues.
Governor Tim Walz ends reelection bid January 5 amid nation’s largest COVID-era fraud at Somali-run daycares and federal pressures.
Federal ICE operation leads to protester deaths in Minneapolis, state lawsuit, and Klobuchar’s vow to “get ICE out.”
Republicans field 12 candidates eyeing 20-year Democratic hold, leveraging scandals for a potential flip.

Klobuchar’s Announcement Amid Crisis

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced her run for Minnesota governor on January 29, 2026, through a video message. She emphasized countering Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge, addressing a massive fraud scandal, and leading amid protests. Klobuchar stated, “I like my job in the Senate. But I love our state more than any job.” This positions her as a fixer against division, drawing on her Senate experience as ranking member on Agriculture and Judiciary committees.

Timeline of Federal Crackdown and State Turmoil

Federal ICE launched Operation Metro Surge in late December 2025, targeting undocumented immigrants in Minnesota. Early January 2026 saw hundreds more agents arrive. Governor Tim Walz ended his reelection bid on January 5 amid fraud allegations from Somali-run daycares—the nation’s largest COVID-era scheme exposed by a viral video. Federal agents fatally shot protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, igniting “ICE out” demonstrations. Minnesota filed a lawsuit against the surge on January 12.

Walz’s Exit Opens Door for Klobuchar

Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’s 2024 VP pick, faced Trump administration’s freeze on federal childcare funding due to the fraud scandal. Walz accepted responsibility but rejected resignation demands, citing distractions from probes and federal actions. Klobuchar filed preliminary paperwork mid-January, met with Walz January 25-28, and received Democratic urging to run. Her bid formalizes the race ahead of November 3, 2026 election, as Democrats seek to hold the office for two decades.

Klobuchar criticizes ICE for “abusive tactics” and claims it makes communities “less safe,” aligning with Walz’s state defense. This stance ignores how unchecked illegal immigration fueled the fraud that burdened taxpayers, eroding trust in government stewardship of family resources.

Republican Opportunity in Democratic Chaos

Republicans, without a gubernatorial win since Tim Pawlenty’s 2006 reelection, now field about 12 candidates including House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Kristin Robbins, Scott Jensen, and Kendall Qualls. They focus on Walz’s failed leadership and the fraud scandal to break the drought. Strategist Amy Koch noted pre-surge GOP confidence but warned immigration images could hurt Republicans. Still, fraud accountability resonates with voters tired of waste and open borders.

Democratic Governors Association expresses confidence in another Democratic win, framing federal actions as overreach. Yet, Klobuchar’s anti-enforcement rhetoric risks alienating moderates who prioritize law, order, and fiscal responsibility over sanctuary politics that enabled scams.