Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz abruptly ended his bid for a third term Monday, saying he wanted to spend his final year in office focused on fighting fraud in state programs instead of campaigning.

Nearly a dozen Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring over the past months, as well as third-party candidates announcing campaigns for governor.

No DFL candidates have officially announced their candidacy. A source close to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar told MPR News on Monday that she is seriously considering a run for Minnesota governor.

Here’s who has said they are running so far.

Republican contenders

• State Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, is in her sixth term in the House and is a retired educator.

• State Rep. and House speaker Lisa Demuth is the highest-ranking Republican at Minnesota’s Capitol.

• Former state Sen. Scott Jensen is a family physician and is pursuing the Republican endorsement for Minnesota’s 2026 governor’s race.

• Jeff Johnson, former St. Cloud city council member.

• Brad Kohler, a former mixed martial arts fighter from Champlin who has run for other state offices.

• Patrick Knight, of Plymouth, is the chief executive officer of Good Sense Foods, which makes salad and vegetable toppings and produce snacks. 

• Mike Lindell, the fervent supporter of President Donald Trump known to TV viewers as the “MyPillow Guy.”

• Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, a Waseca native who now lives in the Twin Cities suburbs, represented Minnesota State Patrol trooper Ryan Londregan as he faced murder and manslaughter charges in the killing of a motorist during a traffic stop.

• Phillip Parrish, a retired Naval intelligence officer who has run previously for state office.

• Kendall Qualls is an Army veteran and a former business executive who has led conservative advocacy groups in recent years and ran for the post in 2022.

• State Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, is pursuing the Republican endorsement for Minnesota’s 2026 governor’s race.

DFL contenders

No DFL candidates have officially announced their candidacy.

A source close to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar told MPR News on Monday that she is seriously considering a run for Minnesota governor. The official who spoke only on the condition of anonymity said Klobuchar, a four-term senator, is fielding calls encouraging her to run.

Third-party contenders

• Mike Newcome is running with the Forward Independence Party.

Did we miss someone? Let us know at [email protected].

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