Minnesota Republican Rep. Kristin Robbins is dropping out of the gubernatorial race
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FIRST ON FOX: Minnesota Republican Rep. Kristin Robbins, chair of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, announced on Friday that he is ending his gubernatorial campaign instead of Gov. Tim Walz.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision to enter the race 10 months ago,” Robbins told Fox News Digital exclusively. “We couldn’t allow Tim Walz to have a third term in Minnesota. He destroyed our country, and we had to stop him again so I think I made a good case for that, and because of all my work on the fraud committee he got out 9 months early, which is good.”
Robbins continued, “When Senator Klobuchar became like his anointed successor, I think the establishment circled the wagons and, you know, it was a challenging endeavor, and I’m a realist, and I’m a numbers guy, and when I look at the numbers, I don’t see a way for me to win.”
Weeks after Walz withdrew his bid for re-election in January amid massive fraud on his watch, Sen. Amy Klobuchar. he jumped into the racebringing him deep political support and name recognition as the presumptive nominee of the Democrats.
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Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to reporters after announcing he will not seek re-election at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Jan. 5, 2026. (Reuters/Tim Evans)
Robbins told Fox News Digital that he decided to “bow out” and find “a new way to give back” because of his love for his state and the knowledge that “there are many ways to serve.”
As for what’s next, Robbins says he hasn’t had much time to think about it, but said he’s focused on closing out the current legislative session and said “there’s a lot of big stuff going on in the committee ahead.”
“I know where the bodies are buried,” said Robbins about the nature of the fraud, pointing out that there is still a lot of work to be done to find answers to how these billions of dollars in fraud were allowed to go undetected for so long.
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With Robbins out of the race, Republicans vying to win the gubernatorial title include: Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, health chief Kendall Qualls, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and a few lesser-known others.
Robbins told Fox News Digital that he “will not let anybody.”
“That will be up to the voters to decide, and I wish all the other candidates the best,” Robbins said.
Ultimately, Robbins says his “biggest thought” is “gratitude” when he looks back on his campaign.
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Minnesota State Attorney Kristin Robbins testifies before Congress during a hearing. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
““I’m so thankful for the last 10 months traveling across the state meeting Minnesotans from all walks of life and having the privilege of running for governor and meeting all these amazing people and hearing their stories, inspired by what they want for Minnesota,” Robbins said. “I’m so grateful and so honored.”
Robbins says going forward, “the answers” won’t come from the capital of St. Louis. Paul, but rather “from communities and people” and “he’s looking forward to connecting to that.”
