Governor Tim Walz announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, citing his responsibility in the fraud scandal affecting the state’s social services programs.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Walz stated, “The buck stops with me. I am accountable for this. Because of that accountability, I am not running for office again.”
WATCH:
The scandal, ongoing since the early 2020s, gained national attention in December after a video by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral.
In his 43-minute video, Shirley alleged widespread fraud in childcare centers operated by Somali community members, claiming they diverted funds meant for low-income families.
Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of individuals, most of whom are Somali, with stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from programs such as Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit created to provide meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic.