Fraud Scandal Fails to Stop Klobuchar as She Breaks 20-Year Republican Drought in Minnesota

Minnesota political history changed Tuesday when Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar defeated Republican state House Speaker Erin Demuth to secure the governor's office. CBS News projects that Klobuchar will become the first woman to hold the position in the state's history.

The election follows the decision by outgoing Gov. Tim Walz to drop his bid for a third term. Walz, a two-term Democrat and former vice presidential candidate, announced he would not seek re-election less than four months after launching his campaign. He cited ongoing accusations of fraud in state programs as a factor in his withdrawal. Klobuchar entered the race immediately after his announcement.

The fraud scandal in state-run social services programs shaped the entire campaign. Dozens of individuals have been convicted of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from programs providing food, shelter, health care, and child care. Federal prosecutors estimate the total losses could exceed $9 billion. The cases drew national attention after a viral video by a right-wing influencer prompted President Trump to focus on the issue.

President Trump and other Republicans directed scrutiny toward the state's Somali community, as most defendants are of Somali descent. Local officials, including Walz, criticized this focus during the campaign. Demuth made the fraud case central to her platform, urging longtime Democratic voters to switch parties. She also pledged to address violent crime and education. Republicans hoped the scandal would break their losing streak, as the state has not elected a Republican governor since Tim Pawlenty in 2006.

Klobuchar, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, campaigned on lowering costs for health care, child care, and housing. She pledged to audit state government and invest in technology to prevent fraud. Drawing on her background as Hennepin County's head prosecutor, she stated her intent to ensure convictions for those who break the law. Her campaign also proposed reducing barriers to homebuilding and improving school test scores.

Demuth, first elected to the House in 2018, became speaker under a power-sharing deal following the 2024 elections. She would have been the state's first Black governor. In August, Demuth defeated MyPillow founder Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls for the Republican nomination. Democrats noted that Demuth sought Trump's endorsement before he backed Lindell. Campaign finance records show Klobuchar raised more than $15.5 million through mid-October, compared to $3.6 million for Demuth.

Klobuchar has repeatedly stated she will not run for president in 2028. Her Senate victory margins have narrowed over time, dropping from 35 points in 2012 to 16 points in 2024. She chose her running mate for lieutenant governor to complete the ticket.