Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he wouldn’t make a decision about running for a third term until after the Minnesota State Fair. Two weeks after the fair wrapped up, Walz has now made his intentions clear.

From the National Stage Back to Minnesota

Walz, who was first elected Governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022, recently faced the national spotlight as Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

READ MORE: Up To 10 More Wells To Be Drilled In Minnesota After Rare Discovery

After a hard-fought campaign that ended in a loss, many wondered what his next political move would be. Some speculated he might consider another national office, but Walz has chosen to stay closer to home.

Walz Running for a Third Term in Minnesota

In a two-minute announcement video, Walz declared that he will run for a third term as Governor of Minnesota, calling the state the “best place on earth.” Looking noticeably slimmer in the video, Walz said, “I’m running for reelection. I want to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed, in every corner of the state.”

What’s Next for the Minnesota Election

The election isn’t until November 3, 2026, but this early announcement gives Walz a head start on campaigning while Minnesota Republicans sort out their nominee. Possible GOP challengers include 2022 candidate Scott Jensen, State Senator Julia Coleman, and even My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, who has expressed interest in running.

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With more than a year to go, Minnesota politics are already heating up, and the stage is set for a major showdown in 2026.

Minnesota's 5 Shortest State Highways - Don't Blink, Or You'll Miss Them!

Don't blink, or you'll miss them! These state highways are pretty shockingly short!

For the purpose of this list, I decided to exclude the sizable list of short state highways that serve state institutions like correctional facilities and hospitals. These are just connections to those facilities, so they have a very specific purpose besides just being a stretch of road.

Let's take a look at where these roads are and just how short they really are.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

The Best Places to Live in Minnesota (2025)

Niche has compiled a list of the best places to live in Minnesota. Their rankings include data on "crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities", from official United States databases (see methodology here).

Here's the best neighborhoods to live in the North Star State.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper

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