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At 8 a.m. Monday, Gov. Tim Walz announced he was dropping his bid for a third term as Minnesota governor and exiting the 2026 election. 

Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota; David Schultz, professor of political science and legal studies at Hamline University; and Richard Carlbom, chair of the Minnesota DFL, joined Cathy Wurzer and Brian Bakst on Morning Edition with initial reactions and analysis. 

Listen to the conversation by clicking the player button above.

Walz abandons reelection campaign; Klobuchar weighs possible run for governor

Walz isn’t running for a third term as governor, what happens now? Your questions answered

Fraud in Minnesota

Other interviews from Monday’s special coverage:

Tim Pawlenty is the last Republican elected governor in Minnesota. He talked to MPR's Cathy Wurzer and Brian Bakst about the news that DFL Gov. Tim Walz is ending his bid for a third term amidst criticism about fraud in some government programs.   

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty reacts to Gov. Walz dropping his bid for a third term

DFL State Senate leader Erin Murphy reacts to Governor Tim Walz's announcement he would end his bid for a third term.

DFL State Senate leader Erin Murphy reacts to Walz dropping reelection bid

Senior politics reporter Dana Ferguson and All Things Considered host Clay Masters contributed to this report.

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Political scientist Larry Jacobs, politics professor David Schultz and Minnesota DFL party chair Richard Carlbom joined Morning Edition with their initial reactions and analysis. 

Special coverage: Gov. Walz drops bid for 3rd term, initial reactions

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