Sen. Amy Klobuchar seriously considers run for Minnesota governor

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is weighing a run for Minnesota governor, sources tell Axios.Why it matters: The four-term senator — one of the state's highest-profile and most popular Democrats — would be an instant frontrunner in the race to succeed DFL Gov. Tim Walz.State of play: The buzz about a Klobuchar bid comes on the heels of Walz's Monday announcement that he is scrapping plans to run for an unprecedented third consecutive term. Reports that the two top Democrats met privately over the weekend — and the registration of several website domain names such as Klobucharforgovernor.com — further fueled the speculation. What we're hearing: Klobuchar is actively weighing a gubernatorial bid, sources told Axios.One source familiar with her thinking said a final decision hadn't been made. Another source indicated she is likely to jump into the race.Multiple DFL operatives and insiders in Minnesota told Axios on Monday that they expect Klobuchar to enter the race, with one source close to Klobuchar saying she's "seriously considering" a run.Catch up fast: Klobuchar, a former Hennepin County Attorney, has ascended the ranks of Democratic leadership since her election to the Senate in 2006. Her 2020 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination further raised her national profile and fundraising network. Klobuchar's broad appeal in the state has led to double-digit victories in all four of her Senate campaigns. In 2024, she outperformed the Democratic presidential ticket by five percentage points. What we're watching: Whether Klobuchar's entrance into the race deters other Democrats weighing a bid — or prompts some Republican candidates to reconsider their own campaigns. Former Rep. Dean Phillips, who ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat, said on X that he will not run.The bottom line: If elected, Klobuchar, 65, would be the state's first female governor.A win would also create a rare mid-term opening for her Senate seat, which would be filled by the governor upon her resignation.