Gov. Tim Walz scheduled a news conference for Monday morning without a predetermined topic, fanning speculation he is reassessing his reelection campaign.

Walz, a two-term Democrat, has faced unrelenting pressure over proven and alleged fraud in Minnesota-run social service programs. While he has recently stepped up anti-fraud measures in his administration, the drumbeat of new allegations and the fury it has stoked online has taken a toll.

Aides to Walz didn’t return messages Sunday night. Other Democratic officials, some who regularly meet with Walz, were also mum ahead of the 11 a.m. news conference. MPR News will carry it live on the radio and on MPRNews.org.

Walz last appeared before reporters on Dec. 23 at an event warning about fallout from continuing immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. Days earlier, he disputed a prosecutor’s estimate that fraud cases during his tenure could eventually reach into the billions of dollars.

More than a dozen Republicans entered the governor’s race, sensing vulnerability for Walz despite his comfortable wins in 2018 and 2022. Walz, 61, kicked off his bid for a third term in September.

Touting Democratic accomplishments in Minnesota, Walz built himself into a national figure. During a summer shakeup for Democrats that led to President Joe Biden ending his reelection campaign in 2024, Walz landed the vice presidential nomination under Kamala Harris.

But that increased stature brought him greater scrutiny and made him an attractive target of conservatives.

President Donald Trump and administration allies have intensified their efforts to weaken Walz. In recent weeks, Trump pushed his agencies to investigate Minnesota on multiple fronts and threatened to withhold money for daycare, nutrition and transportation programs if the governor’s administration didn’t bend to data demands or policy changes. 

Trump also circulated baseless claims over the weekend that Walz had a role in the assassination of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman, which drew sharp backlash and a call by the Hortman children for a presidential apology.

The filing period for Minnesota campaigns starts in mid-May and ends in early June. Both state parties are holding state endorsing conventions in late May, but could need August primaries to sort out nominees for the general election.

Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.