Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) secured a decisive victory in Minnesota's gubernatorial race on Tuesday, defeating state House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) and making history as the first woman elected to lead the state, according to Decision Desk HQ projections.
With just over 56% of the vote counted early Wednesday, the four-term senator emerged as the clear winner, succeeding outgoing Gov. Tim Walz (D), who abandoned his bid for a third term in January. Walz's administration was dogged by fraud scandals in state social service programs, which became a central issue in the campaign and fueled attacks from President Trump and other Republicans.
Both candidates pledged to crack down on government waste and improve oversight. Klobuchar, a former prosecutor, promised to launch a full audit of state government, while Demuth vowed to replace all state agency commissioners and blamed Democratic leadership for fostering a culture of fraud and waste.
The race also highlighted sharp divisions over immigration enforcement. Federal officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during an operation in the state, prompting Klobuchar to condemn the killings and call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave Minnesota. Demuth described the deaths as tragic and called for full investigations but defended the broader ICE operation.
Klobuchar entered the final stretch as the heavy favorite, with Cook Political Report rating the race as "solid Democrat" and DDHQ giving her a 91% chance of victory. She won the Democratic nomination easily, while Demuth clinched the GOP nod after defeating Trump-backed MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, who has spread false claims about the 2020 election. Lindell unsuccessfully sought a recount after his August loss.
Klobuchar's victory adds to a strong night for Democrats in the state, as the party also retained Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District with a win by Angie Little. Meanwhile, other gubernatorial races saw notable outcomes, including Democrat Hinojosa's upset in Texas and Tommy Tuberville's win in Alabama.
Klobuchar has represented Minnesota in the Senate since 2007, winning all four of her elections by double-digit margins. Her transition to the governor's mansion marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, as she leaves the Senate to take on a new executive role.
In her victory speech, Klobuchar emphasized unity and promised to restore trust in state government. "The people of Minnesota have spoken, and they want a government that works for them," she said. "I will not let them down."
Demuth conceded the race late Tuesday, congratulating Klobuchar and urging her supporters to remain engaged. "We fought hard, and I am proud of the campaign we ran," Demuth said. "Now, we must come together to move Minnesota forward."
The outcome solidifies Democratic control of the governor's office in Minnesota, which will be crucial as the state legislature considers new policies on healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Klobuchar's administration will also face the ongoing challenge of addressing the fraud scandals that tarnished her predecessor's tenure.
