Patricia Lopez, Columnist

Klobuchar Could Cost Minnesota Republicans Their Shot

January 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

Patricia Lopez is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. She is a former member of the editorial board at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, where she also worked as a senior political editor and reporter.

Heavy-hitter
Photographer: Eric Lee/Bloomberg

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The abrupt end to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’ bid for a third term should have set off a feeding frenzy among ambitious Democrats.

It didn’t. Instead, they are waiting on the decision of one woman: Senator Amy Klobuchar, former presidential candidate, third-ranking member of the Democratic Senate caucus and a uniquely powerful political figure in her home state.