MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Diya TV) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday that she is running for governor of Minnesota, setting up a high-profile race after Gov. Tim Walz said he would not seek a third term.

Klobuchar released a short video on X to launch her campaign. She spoke directly to Minnesotans and acknowledged a difficult period for the state. She cited recent tragedies and urged residents to show grit, resilience and faith in one another.

“This has been incredibly hard, and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise,” she said. Klobuchar added that Minnesota has a long tradition of fairness and basic decency. She closed the video by confirming her bid for governor and calling on voters to stand up for what is right and fix what is broken. The announcement came shortly after Walz said he would step aside. His decision opened the field for a wide-ranging contest that now features one of the state’s best-known political figures.

Klobuchar’s entry quickly reshaped the race. Walz had faced criticism from Republicans over claims of social-services fraud during his administration. Investigations found no evidence linking Walz personally to wrongdoing. Still, critics argued his leadership failed to prevent misuse of public funds.

Before Walz withdrew, no prominent Democrat had challenged him. On the Republican side, the field has grown crowded. More than a dozen candidates have entered the race. They include House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman Kendall Qualls, state Rep. Kristin Robbins and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell. Klobuchar’s decision changes the political math. Former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty said her candidacy significantly alters the landscape. He called her an especially strong contender with deep statewide support.

Klobuchar brings a long record of electoral wins. She won re-election to a fourth term in the U.S. Senate in 2024. She has consistently carried statewide races by wide margins. Her popularity has made her one of Minnesota’s most durable Democrats. She also ran for president in 2020. She exited early in a crowded Democratic primary but gained national attention for her debate performances and policy focus.

Speculation about a run for governor increased after Walz’s announcement. One day before launching her campaign, Klobuchar told Minnesota Public Radio that her commitment to Minnesota outweighs any single role. She said she values her Senate work but feels called to serve the state in a new way.

After Klobuchar filed preliminary paperwork, the Minnesota Republican Party urged her to step down from the Senate during the campaign. Party Chair Alex Plechash criticized her bid and said the state needs a governor fully focused on the job. Republicans have not won the governor’s office in Minnesota for two decades. Some party leaders privately acknowledged that Klobuchar’s entry could make that goal harder to reach. Her name recognition and fundraising ability pose immediate challenges for GOP candidates.

Klobuchar often points to her family history as a source of her values. Her grandfather worked 1,500 feet underground in the iron ore mines of northern Minnesota. Her father, Jim, worked as a journalist. Her mother, Rose, taught elementary school and continued teaching until age 70. She excelled in school and graduated as valedictorian at Wayzata High School. She earned degrees magna cum laude from Yale University and the University of Chicago Law School.

Her senior college thesis later became a book, “Uncovering the Dome.” The work examines the long effort to build the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Colleges and universities still study it today. Klobuchar also wrote “Antitrust,” which became a New York Times bestseller. She is married to John Bessler, a Mankato native and University of Minnesota alumnus. They have one daughter, Abigail.

Klobuchar’s campaign now moves from launch to organization. She is expected to outline policy priorities focused on accountability, public safety and economic fairness. Her entry may also narrow the Republican field as candidates reassess their chances. The Minnesota governor race now features a familiar face with deep roots in the state. Voters will decide whether Klobuchar’s long Senate career prepares her to lead from the governor’s office.