Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz publicly announced his 2026 reelection campaign Sept. 16, 2025.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz launched his 2026 reelection campaign Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Walz announced his reelection bid in a video posted to social media in which he and his dog go for a ride along the Minnesota countryside.

Minnesota's incumbent governor, 61, said times of uncertainty can bring people together, citing previous accomplishments that required collaboration, such as child tax credits and paid family leave policies.

"But it's in these momenta we have to come together," Walz said. "We can't lose hope because I've seen what we can do when we work together."

Walz, who was first elected in 2018, said he wants to cut taxes for the middle class while investing in public schools, combating fraud, ending gun violence and protecting individual rights "no matter what you look like or who you love."

Walz also brought up the recent Minnesota shootings. He said he grieves the "beautiful people we lost to gun violence." Minnesota recently lost two children in the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis and state Rep. Melissa Hortman in an alleged targeted attack.

The DFLer also highlighted his recent bipartisan collaboration on Minnesota's budget, which reduced spending by $6 billion. It was smaller than the previous two-year budget.

"I'm not done yet, and that's why I'm running for reelection," Walz said. "I want to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed in every corner of this state."

Walz, who ran for vice president on Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign, won his first reelection bid for governor in 2022 with nearly 52.3% of the vote, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. The 2022 Republican candidate, Scott Jensen, garnered 44.6% of the vote.

If elected, Walz will serve his third term as governor. He would be the first Minnesota governor to serve three consecutive terms in the four-year office. Walz served in the U.S. House for six terms before becoming governor.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in February launched her campaign for U.S. Senate to replace U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.

Several Republican candidates have launched their gubernatorial campaigns, including former St. Cloud City Council member Jeff Johnson. Other Republican hopefuls include Kendall Qualls and Scott Jensen — to name a few.

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This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz launches reelection bid with vocal stance on gun safety

Reporting by Corey Schmidt, St. Cloud Times / St. Cloud Times

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