Ely Echo Editorial: Walz faces unfamiliar challenges in bid for third gubernatorial term

Gov. Tim Walz ended the suspense last week and made it official that he’ll seek a third term as Minnesota’s chief executive.

The decision came after much speculation among the state’s political insiders and aficionados, who pondered numerous possibilities and scenarios related to the 2026 election.

Some thought Walz would bypass a third term, either to instead run for president or seek a seat in the U.S. Senate, and there were even rumors that U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar may come home to run for governor or that other big DFL names - including Attorney Gen. Keith Ellison or Secretary of State Steve Simon - might seek the governor’s seat.