As one Republican drops out of the governor’s race, Democrat Klobuchar unveils plan to fight fraud

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — The chair of the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee drops out of the governor’s race.

Republican state Rep. Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove says she believes the best way to fight for the future of the state is from outside of the political system.

In her letter on Friday, she claimed that the state’s “establishment political class, media and donors have anointed Amy Klobuchar, despite her refusal to engage meaningfully on the issues that matter most to Minnesotans.”

Robbins has represented District 37A since winning the seat in 2018.

She says she does not intend to endorse anyone and will continue serving House District 37A until January 2027.

The Klobuchar campaign has just issued what it calls its plan to transform state government and root out fraud.

The senator’s plan includes more than 40 proposals including a top-to-bottom audit of state agencies to identify fraud and abuse.

The former prosecutor says in a press release that “Minnesotans are right to be angry about fraud. It’s absolutely unacceptable.”

Klobuchar is also proposing to replace decades-old IT systems and make state services mobile-first.

“We need a government that can carry its weight and match your drive and ambition. A government that solves problems, not causes them. A government that guards taxpayer dollars instead of allowing them to be misspent or stolen,” said Klobuchar.

“This is what a serious plan to tackle fraud looks like. Senator Klobuchar will bring a prosecutor’s relentlessness and discipline to the task of cleaning up fraud,” said former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger. “Minnesotans are asking for accountability and for fraud to be taken seriously, and I know that is what she will deliver as Governor.”

Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who is also running for governor, says electing Klobuchar would be equivalent to a third term for Gov. Tim Walz.

In a statement she said in part, “Amy Klobuchar returns from a 20-year stint in D.C. to run for governor of Minnesota. She waits three months to hold her first campaign press conference.  Minnesotans know Klobuchar’s record and see this for what it is – a Walz third term.”