Minnesota Republicans say Tim Walz not off the hook after dropping re-election bid

WATCH LIVE: Gov Walz speaks after dropping re-election bid amid fraud scandal

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz holds a news conference after announcing he won't seek re-election for a third term as the state faces a massive fraud scandal.

Minnesota lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives applauded Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to not pursue re-election but doubled down on demands for accountability.

"Governor Walz's decision to not seek re-election is the only acceptable outcome after the large-scale fraud that was permitted under his watch," Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., said. 

Fischbach, a member of the powerful House Rules Committee, previously served as lieutenant governor of the North Star State in 2018. 

NICK SHIRLEY GLOATS HE 'ENDED TIM WALZ’ AFTER MINNESOTA GOVERNOR SCRAPS RE-ELECTION BID AMID FRAUD SCANDAL

Republican Congressional candidate Michelle Fischbach speaks during a rally for President Donald Trump at the Bemidji Regional Airport on Sept. 18, 2020, in Bemidji, Minn. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

"His career is ending because Walz and the Democrats allowed Minnesota to become a national playground for fraudsters, and his radical negligence has cost Minnesotans billions," Fischbach said.

Minnesota first elected Walz as governor in 2018 and then re-elected him in 2022. Walz ran briefly for the White House as a part of Vice President Kamala Harris’ ticket in 2024, but, after he was unsuccessful, announced plans to pursue a third term as governor.

His decision to drop out of that race comes as new revelations about fraud in Minnesota show the state could have lost as much as $9 billion under Walz’s leadership through abuse of its government assistance programs.

DAVID MARCUS: TIM WALZ'S WHITE GUILT FINALLY ENDS HIS CAREER AS MINNESOTA’S FRAUD EXPLODES

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and first lady Gwen Walz attend a candlelight vigil outside the state Capitol building on Jun. 18, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

In recent months, investigators have discovered sweeping fraud schemes masquerading as daycare centers, medical providers, food assistance programs and more. By fabricating services or misrepresenting the number of people they claimed to serve, the schemes siphoned billions in government funds.

Walz’s current term ends in January 2027. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., believes it should end sooner.

"Governor Walz's decision not to seek re-election doesn't let him off the hook," Stauber said. "Minnesotans deserve to see full accountability. Under Tim Walz’s leadership, at least $9 billion was stolen from taxpayers by fraudsters, the state’s $18 billion surplus was squandered, taxes were increased by $10 billion and illegal immigrants were given free college, health care and driver’s licenses." 

"If Walz is unfit to seek re-election, he is unfit to serve as governor. The news this morning should have been ‘Tim Walz resigns,’" Stauber added.

COMER WARNS WALZ ABSENCE AT MINNESOTA FRAUD HEARING WOULD BE 'ADMISSION TO GUILT' BY GOVERNOR

Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., speaks to a reception with the Congressional Hockey Caucus on March 6, 2024, in Washington. (John McCreary/Getty Images)

With an eye toward the future, Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., lamented that the fraud rings in Minnesota would take time to unwind and that the state would have a long road ahead toward healing.

"Unfortunately, it will take years to undo the damage he has done to the state of Minnesota. The next Governor of Minnesota will have a massive task ahead of them to root out systemic waste, fraud and abuse. I am committed to working with my fellow Minnesotans to ensure we elect a Republican governor who will restore trust in state government and the reputation of our great state," Finstad said in a post to X.

Despite Walz’s announcement, Fischbach said that Republican efforts to investigate fraud and abuse in Minnesota would continue.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP 

"The era of looking the other way is over. Minnesota Democrats: Take note. We are coming for accountability and will continue to investigate until every stolen dollar is accounted for," Fischbach said. 

Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.