Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz has announced he is dropping his re-election bid and will not seek a third term this coming November amid widespread fraud allegations within the state.

Walz, who ran as the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election, has encountered lower approval ratings over the past month as criticism continues to mount amid investigations into state welfare agencies and government-affiliated programs that were widely targeted by fraud.

Walz, 61, pointed to the scandal and the general political climate in his statement on Monday morning, claiming that “political gamesmanship from Republicans” is making the fight against fraudsters “harder to win.” Explaining his decision not to run, the former teacher said that after speaking with his family and team over the festive season, he has come to the realization that he can’t give a political campaign his all and he wants to “let others worry about the election” so that he can “focus on the work.”

“Donald Trump and his allies—in Washington, in St. Paul, and online—want to make our state a colder, meaner place,” Walz claimed, referencing how the Trump Administration plans to freeze all federal funds to Minnesota child care centers in response to the instances of fraud. “They want to poison our people against each other by attacking our neighbors. And, ultimately, they want to take away much of what makes Minnesota the best place in America to raise a family,” Walz maintained.

Walz was first elected Governor in 2018, succeeding fellow Democrat Mark Dayton. Minnesota has held a Democratic governor for several years, but Walz’s departure could shake up the landscape for the 2026 race. Potential successors include Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison, and lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan.

Read More: Protesters Condemn Trump’s Targeting of Minnesota’s Somali Community: ‘This Is Our Country, Not His’

Trump has used the widespread fraud scandal to target Minnesota’s Somali community, accusing them of “destroying” the state, on account of some people of Somali descent being found guilty of involvement with the schemes. He has taken to seemingly blaming the community as a whole rather than the individuals involved. Trump has also repeatedly taken aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democratic Congresswoman for Minnesota, who was born in Somalia.

During one contentious Cabinet meeting in December, Trump referred to Somalia as “barely a country” and called members of the Somali community “garbage.”

Trump’s rhetoric sparked protests in the state and criticism from members of the Democratic Party. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks of New York and Sara Jacobs of California, along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Cory Booker of New Jersey condemned the President's remarks about Somali immigrants in the U.S. in a joint statement, calling them “xenophobic and unacceptable.”

Following Walz's announcement regarding his re-election bid, Trump once again said the former VP candidate has "destroyed" the state of Minnesota. The President accused Walz of being complicit in the various fraud schemes that have plagued the state. He did not provide any evidence and there is no suggestion that Walz had any prior knowledge of the fraudulent activity.