U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Thursday took the first step toward running for Minnesota governor.

The fourth-term Democratic senator filed paperwork with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, indicating the possibility of her candidacy.

Klobuchar had been considering running for the office since at least early January, when Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Tim Walz announced he wouldn’t seek a third term in office.

Walz, who withdrew his candidacy as scrutiny continued to build on his handling of widespread Medicaid fraud in state programs, had reportedly met with Klobuchar the weekend before he made his announcement.

Klobuchar has performed well statewide in every election since she first won office in 2006 and has always led her Republican competitors by double-digit percentage margins.

Republicans running for governor in 2026 include House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, 2022 gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen, a doctor who rose to prominence for his criticism of state COVID policy; state Rep. Kristin Robbins; attorney Chris Madel; 2022 Republican endorsement contender Kendall Qualls, a former congressional candidate; and businessman Patrick Knight.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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