Democratic Sen. Klobuchar says she's running for Minnesota governor after Gov. Walz dropped out

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Thursday she is running for governor of Minnesota, promising to take on President Donald Trump while unifying a state that has endured a series of challenges even before the federal government's immigration crackdown.

Klobuchar's decision gives Democrats a high-profile candidate and proven statewide winner as their party tries to hold onto the office occupied by Gov. Tim Walz. The 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, Walz abandoned his campaign for a third term earlier this month amid criticism over mismanagement of taxpayer funding for child care programs.

"Minnesota, we've been through a lot," Klobuchar said in a video announcement Thursday. "These times call for leaders who can stand up and not be rubber stamps of this administration — but who are also willing to find common ground and fix things in our state."