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Tim Walz
33.8%
#44 of 50

Tim Walz

Minnesota D | 2nd term
2019-01-07Took Office 7 yrs, 5 moIn Office 263Metrics Scored 559 / 1653Total Points

Section A: Governance

167/300
56%

Section B: State Outcomes

422/975
43%

Section C: Oath Fidelity

-30 (-378 to +378)

Section A — Governance 167/300

9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.

On-time budget submission
Submitted budgets on time each biennium. 2023 session passed $72B budget (largest in MN history, 38% increase over prior $52B) on deadline despite marathon negotiations. 2024 $226M supplemental budget passed smoothly.
MN Legislature Session Records 2019-2025; MN MMB Budget Documents
2
Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual
Feb 2023 forecast projected $17.5B structural surplus for FY24-25 biennium. Legislature spent nearly all of it in $72B budget. Nov 2025 forecast showed $2.47B surplus for FY26-27, down sharply. Revenue forecasts generally within 5% but new spending commitments created structural pressure.
MN MMB Revenue Forecasts Feb 2023, Nov 2025; MN House Session Daily
2
Rainy day fund management
Budget reserve maintained at $2.66B statutory maximum throughout tenure. Moody's cited 'strong reserves and liquidity' as key factor in AAA rating. Reserve untouched even during COVID despite $17.5B surplus drawdown in 2023 session.
MN MMB Budget Reserve Account; Moody's AAA Rating Rationale 2024
2
State credit rating trajectory
AAA rating from all three agencies (Moody's, S&P, Fitch) for four consecutive years under Walz — first MN governor to achieve that. Fitch cited 'steadily growing economy, highly educated workforce, and low long-term liability burden.' No downgrades.
Governor's Office Press Release Jul 2024; Moody's/S&P/Fitch Rating Reports
2
Pension funding ratio trajectory
TRA funding ratio improved from 76.9% (Jun 2023) to 79.9% (Jun 2024), UAAL decreased from $8.1B to $7.1B. PERA General ~80%. MSRS similar range. Investment return assumption lowered from 7.50% to 7.00% effective Jul 2023. Combined still below 90% full-funding target.
TRA ACFR 2024; PERA General Actuarial Valuation 2023; LCPR Valuations
1
Debt per capita trajectory
$8.4B total GO bonds outstanding as of Jun 2024. 43.4% maturing within 5 years, 75.6% within 10 years — healthy maturity schedule. 2024 bonding bill: $830M within state debt guidelines. Debt capacity remains within statutory limits per MMB.
MN MMB Debt Capacity Forecast Nov 2024; Feb 2024 DCF Report
2
CAFR published on time
ACFR published within statutory deadline each year by MN Management and Budget. OLA issued unmodified (clean) audit opinion on state financial statements. Reports prepared per GAAP for governmental units. Both FY2023 and FY2024 ACFRs published on schedule.
MN MMB ACFR Reports 2019-2024; OLA Financial Audit Division
3
Audit findings — material weaknesses
OLA Special Review (Feb 2023) found material control failures at MDE: no verification of meal counts, no site visits, no cross-referencing of enrollment data. MDE approved Feeding Our Future sponsor applications without adequate review. Multiple material weaknesses in federal program accounting.
MN OLA Special Review of MDE Feb 2023; OLA Financial Audit Reports
1
Federal grant fund accounting
$250M+ stolen in Feeding Our Future (largest pandemic fraud in US history, Jan 2026 federal estimate: $350M+). 79 indicted, 63+ convicted as of Mar 2026. Only ~$75M recovered. Broader MN fraud across Medicaid, autism, housing programs estimated at $9B+ per House Oversight Committee. Systematic federal grant accounting failures.
DOJ: U.S. v. Bock et al., 0:22-cr-00223; House Oversight Committee Mar 2026; OLA Special Reviews 2023-2025
0
Anti-fraud controls — federal programs
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. MDE had zero fraud detection for child nutrition claims. Sites claimed 2,000+ meals/day at nonexistent locations. 79 indicted, 63+ convicted (7 at trial including ringleader Aimee Bock), 56+ guilty pleas. $250M+ stolen (could exceed $350M per Jan 2026 federal estimate). OLA found oversight failures dating to 2019.
OLA Special Review Feb 2023; DOJ multi-district prosecution; House Oversight hearing Mar 2026
0
Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment
Nov 2025 forecast: $2.47B surplus for FY26-27, down from $17.5B surplus entering 2023 session. $72B budget (38% increase over $52B prior biennium) consumed nearly entire surplus. New commitments (paid family leave, free school meals, MinnesotaCare expansion) create structural spending pressure. American Experiment called it 'a disaster waiting to happen.'
MN MMB Nov 2025 Forecast; MN House Session Daily; Center of the American Experiment analysis
2
Capital budget execution rate
2024 bonding bill: $830M in GO bonds within debt capacity guidelines. 2020 bonding bill ($1.36B) passed in special session after 5-month delay due to COVID/emergency powers dispute. Capital budget execution generally on schedule, though Southwest LRT (Met Council) ballooned from $1.25B to $2.86B with OLA audit finding 'instances of noncompliance.'
MN MMB Capital Budget Status Reports; OLA SWLRT Audit Apr 2025
2
Vendor/contractor oversight
Feeding Our Future vendors filed fraudulent claims at nonexistent sites (e.g., sites in a parking lot claiming 2,000 meals/day). MDE performed zero site visits, zero enrollment verification. Stolen funds used for luxury cars, overseas real estate, and allegedly funneled to Al-Shabaab/ISIS per House Oversight testimony. Vendor oversight was nonexistent.
DOJ indictments; OLA findings; FBI affidavits in Bock et al.; House Oversight Mar 2026
0
Federal funding maximization
MN received $4.8B IIJA highway formula funding plus $300M bridge funding over 5 years. Legislature appropriated $216.4M IIJA match in 2023. But $250M+ in federal nutrition funds stolen via Feeding Our Future (only ~$75M recovered). Net federal fund stewardship severely damaged by fraud losses.
MnDOT IIJA Data; USDA FNS Program Reviews; DOJ prosecution records
1
Program eligibility verification systems
TOTAL FAILURE across multiple programs. Feeding Our Future: meals claimed at nonexistent sites for nonexistent children — zero eligibility checks. Autism/disability services: billed for patients not receiving care. Medicaid: phantom enrollees. Self-attestation accepted without verification. House Oversight found 30+ whistleblowers reported concerns as early as 2019 — all ignored.
FBI affidavits; OLA Special Review; DOJ prosecution evidence; House Oversight Mar 2026
0
Signature legislation enacted
Historic 2023 DFL trifecta session: signed paid family/medical leave (up to 20 weeks, effective Jan 2026), universal free school meals ($800M+, 4th state), recreational marijuana (HF 100, adults 21+, effective Aug 2023), 100% clean energy by 2040, Driver's License for All (HF 4), red flag law, universal background checks, felon voting rights restoration, $1.5B child tax credits, free college tuition for families under $80K.
MN Laws 2023; MPR News; MN Legislature Session Records
2
Veto override rate
Zero vetoes overridden during entire tenure (2019-present). Walz's first-ever veto came in 2023 session (rideshare driver pay bill). Extremely sparing veto use — signed virtually all legislation reaching his desk.
MN Legislative Reference Library Veto Records; MN House New Laws 2023
3
Bipartisan bills signed
2023 trifecta session was overwhelmingly party-line — DFL held both chambers plus governor for first time in 8 years. Major bills (paid leave, marijuana, gun control, free meals) passed on near-party-line votes. 2019-2022 divided government (GOP Senate) produced some bipartisan results but limited major legislation.
MN Legislature Bill Vote Records 2019-2023; Star Tribune analysis
1
Special sessions called
Called 6 special sessions in 2020 alone (COVID response, police accountability after George Floyd, bonding bill). Oct 2020 special session passed $1.36B bonding bill after 5-month delay — House GOP withheld votes until emergency powers addressed. Special sessions productive overall: police reform, disability provider relief, bonding bill all enacted.
MN House Session Daily; MN Legislature Special Session Records 2020
2
Executive orders — legal challenges
Issued 250+ executive orders during tenure. COVID peacetime emergency extended monthly for over a year via special sessions — GOP Senate repeatedly attempted to terminate. Stay-at-home order (EO 20-20, Mar 27, 2020), 10-month mask mandate, curfew during George Floyd unrest. Dec 2025: signed 2 gun control EOs after legislature declined assault weapons ban. Most COVID EOs upheld legally.
MN Legislative Reference Library EO Database; MN District Court Records; MN Reformer Dec 2025
2
Line-item veto usage
MN Constitution does not grant governor line-item veto authority. Walz could only sign or veto entire appropriations bills. Scored as neutral/N/A. This limited his ability to trim individual spending items from the $72B 2023 budget.
MN Constitution Art. IV; MN Legislative Reference Library
2
Regulatory burden change
Massive regulatory expansion in 2023: paid family leave program (0.88% payroll tax, new DEED division), Office of Cannabis Management (entire new regulatory framework for adult-use marijuana), 100% clean energy mandate by 2040 (interim targets: 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035), MN Consumer Data Privacy Act (signed May 2024, effective Jul 2025). Net regulatory burden significantly increased.
MN Administrative Register 2023-2025; MN Commerce Dept; MN DEED Paid Leave Division
1
Budget negotiation success
2023: $72B budget passed on deadline despite marathon negotiations to spend $17.5B surplus — included $2.2B education boost, $1.5B child tax credits, $1.6B environment/clean energy. 2019-2022: divided government (GOP Senate) produced smaller budgets with compromise. 2024: $226M supplemental passed smoothly.
MN Legislature Session Records; MN House Session Daily; PBS News
2
Bill signing rate on popular legislation
Signed free school meals (broadly popular, MN became 4th state), recreational marijuana (HF 100, popular statewide). Also signed red flag law and universal background checks (divisive, NRA-ILA opposition). Marijuana retail sales began early 2025 via Office of Cannabis Management. Free school meals program served all K-12 students starting Jul 2023.
MN Legislature 2023; MPR News; MN Dept of Education Free Meals Program
2
Legislative relationship
2019-2022: divided government (DFL House, GOP Senate) — relationship functional but limited to compromise legislation. 2023: DFL trifecta enabled 'avalanche' of progressive legislation (People's World called it 'Minnesota Miracle'). 2024: supplemental session productive. 2025-26: relationship strained by fraud scandal fallout and bipartisan criticism.
MN Legislature Bill Counts by Session; People's World; Star Tribune
2
Voter-approved measures implementation
No statewide ballot measures appeared during Walz's tenure requiring gubernatorial implementation. MN Constitution requires legislative referral for ballot measures (no citizen initiative process). No constitutional amendments sent to voters 2019-2025 that required executive action.
MN Secretary of State; MN Constitution Art. IX
3
Task force follow-through
Signed EO 25-10 (Jan 2025) directing agencies to take 'additional steps' to combat fraud — critics called it too little, too late after $9B+ already stolen. Proposed $39M anti-fraud plan but Legislature only partially funded it. Anti-fraud task force created but implementation slow. OLA and House Oversight found fundamental systemic changes still needed.
Governor's EO 25-10; MN Legislature Appropriations; House Oversight Mar 2026
1
Policy reversals under pressure
COVID policy reversals: stay-at-home order (Mar 2020) lifted after 2 weeks, then reimposed restrictions; 10-month mask mandate became major political dividing point; reversed school closures multiple times. Reversed position on MDE oversight only after Feeding Our Future fraud became public (2022). Initially defended MDE leadership, later acknowledged failures.
Governor's Office Executive Orders 2020-2023; Star Tribune; MPR News
1
Appointee criminal/ethics issues
MDE Commissioner appointees oversaw department during entire Feeding Our Future fraud period (2020-2022). Appointed Willie Jett as Education Commissioner during fallout. No criminal charges against appointees directly, but systemic oversight failure occurred under their watch. MDE leadership failed to act on fraud warnings from staff and FBI.
MDE Leadership Records; OLA Reviews; House Oversight testimony Mar 2026
1
Agency head vacancy rate
Agency head positions generally filled within reasonable timeframes. Named 6 new cabinet members in 2023 second-term transition including Commissioners of Education (Willie Jett), Health (Brooke Cunningham), Revenue (Paul Marquart), and Public Safety (Bob Jacobson). Appointed Ida Rukavina for Iron Range Resources.
Governor's Office Appointment Records; KSTP News Jan 2023
2
State employee turnover
FY2023: 9.2% voluntary turnover (6.3% resignations, 2.9% retirements) — typical of pre-COVID years. BIPOC and female employees turnover ~1 percentage point higher. Disability employee turnover 1.6 points above average. Corrections, healthcare, and human services had critically high turnover. 4,300 state corrections employees faced staffing shortages.
MN MMB FY2023 Workforce Planning Report; BLS Minnesota JOLTS
2
Diversity of appointments
Touted as most diverse cabinet in MN history: 50% women commissioners, 20% people of color, nearly 1 in 5 from Greater Minnesota. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is Native American (White Earth Band of Ojibwe) — first Native American woman elected to statewide executive office in US. Appointed tribal members to Racing Commission (Mille Lacs Band, Prairie Island).
Twin Cities Pioneer Press Jan 2019; Governor's Office Records; Star Tribune
2
Judicial appointment quality
Appointed 66+ judges including 4 of 7 MN Supreme Court justices and elevated one to Chief Justice. Over one-third of first-year appointees were people of color. Majority of judicial appointees have been women or from historically underrepresented groups. Star Tribune: Walz 'builds on diversity in the state courts.' Generally rated qualified by Bar.
Ballotpedia Judicial Appointments; Star Tribune; MN State Bar Association; MinnPost Sep 2024
2
State workforce pay competitiveness
State employee pay raises negotiated during tenure. Corrections officers start at $21/hour (below $25/hour manufacturing alternatives, contributing to staffing crisis). Walz proposed $414M corrections budget increase (27% boost to nearly $1B/year) partly to address pay competitiveness. General state workforce pay competitive with Midwest regional average.
MN MMB Compensation Reports; MN Reformer; Governor's FY24-25 Budget Proposal
2
Whistleblower protection
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. House Oversight Committee spoke with 30+ whistleblowers (many current employees, including Democrats) who said they were 'ignored, retaliated against, and even surveilled' for raising fraud concerns. Officials described Walz's office as 'retaliatory' — denying vacations and promotions to employees who tried to speak out. Concerns raised as early as 2019 were suppressed.
House Oversight Committee hearing Mar 2026; Congressional testimony transcripts; CBS News
0
Inspector General independence
OLA (Office of the Legislative Auditor) operated independently — published Special Review of MDE (Feb 2023) and SWLRT audit (Apr 2025) without interference. However, administration was slow to act on OLA findings. OLA flagged MDE failures but Walz did not implement recommendations quickly. OLA independence maintained but executive response inadequate.
OLA Reports 2023-2025; Legislative Testimony; MN Reformer
1
State employee morale
No dramatic morale crisis systemwide but corrections sector severely strained — staffing shortages at $21/hour starting pay vs $25/hour manufacturing alternatives. FY2023 turnover at 9.2% overall. Whistleblower retaliation at MDE/DHS severely damaged morale in fraud-affected agencies. 30+ whistleblowers reported hostile work environment per House Oversight.
MN MMB FY2023 Workforce Report; MN DOC Performance Report 2024; House Oversight Mar 2026
2
Nepotism/cronyism
No documented nepotism or cronyism in appointments. Cabinet selection based on professional qualifications and diversity goals. No family members or personal associates appointed to positions. Former high school teacher and 12-year congressman — no business ties creating appointment conflicts.
State Ethics Records; Governor's Office Appointment Records
3
Senior staff criminal charges
No senior gubernatorial staff or commissioners charged criminally. All 79 Feeding Our Future defendants were at nonprofit/vendor level, not state employees. MDE officials faced criticism for oversight failures but no criminal liability. No personal staff scandals during tenure.
Court Records; DOJ Bock et al. defendant list; MDE Personnel Records
2
Agency performance accountability
MDE performance accountability was nonexistent — $250M+ stolen over 2+ years with zero internal detection. MDE never conducted site visits, never verified meal counts, never cross-referenced enrollment data. DHS autism services and housing programs similarly unmonitored. House Oversight: administration 'ignored rampant taxpayer fraud.' Systemic failure across MDE, DHS, and Medicaid oversight.
OLA Special Reviews 2023-2025; House Oversight findings Mar 2026; FBI affidavits
0
Disaster declaration timeliness
Timely disaster declarations: COVID peacetime emergency (Mar 2020, extended monthly via 6 special sessions), George Floyd civil unrest emergency (May 28, 2020), major flooding/tornado declarations secured in 2022 (26 counties), 2023 (Apr storms), and 2024 (22 counties for Jun 2024 severe storms/flooding, DR-4797-MN). Declarations generally prompt.
MN HSEM Declaration Records; FEMA.gov Minnesota Declarations; Federal Register
3
FEMA assistance secured
Secured major FEMA disaster declarations in 2022 (severe storms/tornadoes, 26 counties), 2023 (Apr flooding, Public Assistance), and 2024 (DR-4797-MN, Jun flooding, 22 counties, Individual Assistance approved Jul 29, 2024). USDA designated 22 counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas (Aug 2024). Multiple FEMA PA/IA grants captured.
FEMA PA/IA Records — Minnesota; USDA FSA Aug 2024; Federal Register Sep 2024
2
Emergency reserve adequacy
Budget reserve maintained at $2.66B statutory maximum — adequate for emergency needs. Moody's cited 'strong reserves and liquidity' in AAA rating. State did not need to draw on reserves during COVID (federal relief covered costs) or natural disasters (FEMA reimbursement). Reserve fund untouched through multiple emergencies.
MN MMB Emergency Account; Moody's AAA Rating Report 2024
2
Lives lost — preventable from state failure
No mass preventable deaths from state infrastructure failure. George Floyd unrest (May 2020): 2 deaths during riots, $500M+ property damage in Minneapolis. Delayed National Guard deployment criticized — 20 hours elapsed between Mayor Frey's initial request (evening May 27) and formal Guard activation (May 28). Deaths primarily attributed to MPD/local law enforcement failures, not state action.
State Medical Examiner Records; PolitiFact Aug 2024; FactCheck.org Aug 2024
2
Post-disaster recovery
Post-disaster recovery generally on track for 2022-2024 severe weather events. FEMA Public Assistance provided to eligible local governments and nonprofits in 22+ counties after Jun 2024 flooding. 2022 tornado/flooding recovery in 26 counties progressed through standard FEMA closeout. COVID economic recovery aided by $17.5B state surplus and federal relief.
FEMA PA Closeout Records; FEMA DR-4797-MN; MN HSEM
2
Public health emergency response
COVID response mixed: stay-at-home order (EO 20-20, Mar 27-Apr 10, 2020), 10-month mask mandate, school closures, restaurant/bar shutdowns. MN COVID death rate roughly at national average but vaccination rate above average. Nursing home outbreaks were devastating early on. Lockdown enforcement criticized as overly restrictive by businesses/GOP, too lax by some health officials.
MN DHS COVID Data; CDC State Comparisons; LiveNOW FOX fact-check; FOX 9
1
Infrastructure failure prevention
No major infrastructure failures (no bridge collapses, grid blackouts, or water system failures). MnDOT managed 200+ construction projects in 2023 including I-35 Atkinson Bridge redecking and Twin Ports Interchange in Duluth. Southwest LRT is a Met Council project (not direct state infrastructure) but oversight questioned. Grid reliability adequate through severe winters.
MnDOT Project Reports 2023; MN PUC; State Utility Commission Records
3
National Guard deployment
Full National Guard mobilization on May 28, 2020 — first in MN's 164-year history. But activation came 20 hours after Minneapolis Mayor Frey's initial phone request (evening May 27). Walz said he waited for formal written request. Thousands of soldiers/airmen deployed, 8pm-6am curfew imposed in Twin Cities. Critics called response too slow; 3rd Precinct already burned. Camp Ripley: 3rd busiest Guard training center nationally (558K DoD personnel in 2024).
MN Adjutant General Records; PolitiFact Aug 2024; American Experiment analysis; Camp Ripley 2024 report
1
Emergency communication
Held regular daily press briefings during COVID pandemic (Mar-Jun 2020) and George Floyd unrest. Imposed 8pm-6am Twin Cities curfew via clear public communication. However, Axios found governor's office claimed 'no texts' existed regarding capital investment bill — raising transparency questions about records practices during emergencies.
Governor's Office Media Logs; Axios Twin Cities Jul 2024
2
Interagency coordination
Interagency coordination failures documented across MDE, DHS, and federal agencies (USDA FNS, CMS). MDE failed to share fraud intelligence with FBI promptly. DHS autism/housing fraud went undetected across agencies. House Oversight found administration was 'not forthcoming' with information to federal agencies or legislature. USDA FNS had to intervene directly after state failed to act.
OLA Reports; House Oversight Mar 2026; USDA FNS Program Reviews
1
Pandemic response metrics
MN COVID death rate approximately at national average per CDC data. Vaccination rate above national average — ranked among top 15 states. Stay-at-home order (Mar-Apr 2020), 10-month mask mandate, school closures. Nursing home outbreaks were significant early concern. 1.25 million UI claims filed in 2020. Economic recovery aided by $17.5B surplus.
CDC COVID Data Tracker — Minnesota; MN DEED; BLS Minnesota
2
Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure
Minnesota faces severe weather, tornadoes, flooding, and winter storm risks. FEMA major disaster declarations obtained in 2022 (26 counties, tornadoes/flooding), 2023 (Apr storms), 2024 (DR-4797-MN, 22 counties). Camp Ripley (3rd busiest Guard training center nationally, $83M expenditures in 2024) supports preparedness. HSEM coordination adequate. Emergency infrastructure investment standard through bonding bills.
MN HSEM; FEMA Declarations Database; Camp Ripley 2024 Report
2
FOIA compliance
MN operates under Data Practices Act (not FOIA). Administration slow on fraud-related data requests — Axios found governor's office claimed 'no texts existed' for capital investment bill inquiries (Jul 2024). ACLJ filed multiple FOIA/DPA requests to expose fraud scandal knowledge. Administration not forthcoming with congressional document requests. Walz proposed expanding open records to cover Legislature but own office transparency questioned.
MN Data Practices Act; Axios Twin Cities Jul 2024; ACLJ FOIA requests; Star Tribune
1
Schedule availability
Governor's public schedule published on mn.gov. Scheduling request system maintained for public engagement. During VP campaign (Aug-Nov 2024), Minnesota gubernatorial schedule was less visible as Walz focused on national campaign. Post-campaign, resumed regular MN schedule including town halls and public events. UPDATE (Apr 2026): House Oversight Committee found Walz was aware of credible fraud as early as 2019, lied about knowledge under testimony, and retaliated against whistleblowers. $9 billion in estimated total fraud across Minnesota social services.
Governor's Office mn.gov; Media Coverage Aug-Nov 2024; House Oversight Committee testimony (Mar 4, 2026)
0
Campaign finance compliance
No campaign finance violations found by MN Campaign Finance Board during 2018 or 2022 gubernatorial campaigns. Clean record as congressman (12 years, MN-1) and governor. 2024 VP campaign managed by Harris-Walz national committee — no MN-specific violations. CFB filings timely and complete.
MN Campaign Finance Board filings; FEC Records
2
Financial disclosure
Financial disclosures filed on schedule with MN Campaign Finance Board each year. Former teacher and congressman — modest personal assets. No undisclosed outside income or business interests identified. VP candidacy required additional federal financial disclosure (filed with FEC Aug 2024).
MN Campaign Finance Board; FEC Financial Disclosure Aug 2024
1
Open meetings compliance
No major Open Meeting Law violations documented during tenure. MN AG office handles open meetings enforcement — no findings against governor's office. Cabinet meetings and task force meetings conducted in compliance. Data Practices Office published guidance under Walz administration.
MN AG Open Meetings Decisions; MN Data Practices Office
3
Open data portal
MN maintains functional open data portal (mn.gov/opendata) with datasets across agencies. Signed MN Consumer Data Privacy Act (May 2024, 19th state, effective Jul 2025). Data Practices Office publishes guidance on government data access. Portal provides budget, spending, workforce, and program data. Standard but not nationally leading.
mn.gov/opendata; MN Consumer Data Privacy Act May 2024; MN Admin Data Practices Office
2
Budget transparency
Full biennial budget documents published online via MMB (mn.gov/mmb) including revenue forecasts, debt capacity reports, capital budget details, and ACFR. $72B FY24-25 budget fully documented online with agency-level detail. Revenue forecasts published Feb and Nov each year. Debt capacity forecasts publicly available.
MN MMB Budget Website mn.gov/mmb; MMB Forecast Reports
2
Lobbying disclosure
MN Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board maintains lobbying registration and reporting. Standard disclosure requirements maintained during tenure — no weakening of lobbying transparency laws. Lobbyist expenditure reports filed quarterly. No changes to disclosure thresholds or exemptions under Walz.
MN Campaign Finance Board Lobbying Records; MN Statute Ch. 10A
3
IG report publication
OLA (Office of the Legislative Auditor) reports published promptly: MDE Special Review (Feb 2023), SWLRT Construction Audit (Apr 2025), annual financial audits with unmodified opinions. OLA operates independently of executive branch. Reports available on auditor.leg.state.mn.us. Administration did not block OLA publication but was slow to implement recommendations.
MN OLA Website auditor.leg.state.mn.us; OLA Special Reviews 2023-2025
2
Legislative audit cooperation
House Oversight Committee (Mar 4, 2026) found Walz administration 'NOT forthcoming' with fraud information. Committee Chair Comer: 'Governor Walz and AG Ellison ignored rampant taxpayer fraud and silenced state whistleblowers.' 30+ whistleblowers testified to retaliation. Administration failed to share early fraud intelligence with legislature or federal agencies. Jim Jordan accused Walz of trying to 'hide behind' court orders.
House Oversight Committee Mar 2026 hearing transcript; CBS News; FOX News; CNN
0
Press conference accessibility
Regular press conferences throughout tenure — daily during COVID peak (Mar-Jun 2020), periodic during normal operations. Became nationally recognized during 2024 VP campaign (coined 'weird' label against Trump/Vance). Post-2024 loss, held town halls in GOP districts in Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin. Rochester town hall drew 1,500+ attendees (2025).
Governor's Office Media Schedule; CNN; NBC News; KIMT Rochester
2
Contract transparency
Feeding Our Future sponsor contracts were not tracked, verified, or made transparent. MDE approved vendor applications without site visits or enrollment verification. $250M+ flowed to fraudulent vendors with zero contract oversight. OLA found 'instances of noncompliance and weaknesses in internal controls.' Southwest LRT contracts also had noncompliance findings in Apr 2025 audit.
OLA findings on MDE contract management; OLA SWLRT Construction Audit Apr 2025
1
Court order compliance
No contempt findings or court order violations by governor's office. COVID emergency orders challenged in court but largely upheld under MN peacetime emergency statute. No judicial sanctions against administration. Complied with court orders related to Feeding Our Future prosecution (state-level proceedings).
Court Records; MN District Court; Federal Court Records
2
Personal criminal charges
No criminal charges against Walz personally despite $9B+ fraud occurring under his administration. House Oversight Committee investigated but did not refer for criminal prosecution. No personal involvement in fraud scheme alleged. Former teacher and 24-year Army National Guard veteran (retired CSM). Clean personal criminal record. UPDATE (Apr 2026): Congressional testimony contradicted by evidence — Walz and AG Ellison found to have lied about fraud knowledge and silenced whistleblowers per House Oversight Committee findings.
Court Records; House Oversight Committee; Military Service Records; House Oversight Committee (Mar 2026)
1
Ethics complaints — substantiated
No substantiated ethics complaints filed against Walz personally with MN Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. No formal ethics violations during 12 years in Congress or 7+ years as governor. House Oversight focused on administrative failures and truthfulness, not personal ethics violations.
MN Campaign Finance Board Ethics Records; Congressional Ethics Records
2
Gift/travel disclosure
Gift and travel disclosures filed per MN statute. Extensive travel during 2024 VP campaign (Aug-Nov 2024) covered by Harris-Walz campaign committee, not state funds. No reported violations of gift acceptance rules. Former teacher with modest personal wealth — no luxury gift controversies.
MN Campaign Finance Board; FEC Harris-Walz Campaign Filings
1
Conflict of interest
No documented conflicts of interest. Former high school teacher and football coach (Mankato West) with no business interests or investments creating conflicts. 12-year congressman representing MN-1 (rural southern MN) — no lobbying or corporate board ties. No blind trust required given modest assets.
State Ethics Records; Financial Disclosures; Congressional Records
3
State resources for political purposes
No documented misuse of state resources for political purposes. 2024 VP campaign operated separately from governor's office. State aircraft and security used only for official duties (standard for sitting governors running for higher office). No investigations into state resource misuse.
State Ethics Records; MN Campaign Finance Board
3
Truthfulness in official statements
House Oversight Committee (Mar 4, 2026): hearing titled 'Walz and Ellison Lied About Knowledge of Fraud and Silenced Whistleblowers.' Committee found Walz's congressional testimony directly contradicted MDE internal emails showing early fraud knowledge. Deseret News: 'key takeaway — governor knew.' CBS News reported testimony inconsistencies. Walz also faced scrutiny for military rank claims during VP campaign.
House Oversight Committee Mar 2026; Deseret News; CBS News; MDE internal emails
0
Protection of ethics infrastructure
Did not weaken MN ethics infrastructure during tenure. Campaign Finance Board maintained independence. Ethics enforcement structures preserved. Proposed expanding open records laws to cover Legislature (currently exempt from Data Practices Act). However, did not strengthen ethics oversight at MDE/DHS despite fraud — reactive rather than proactive.
MN Legislature Records; Star Tribune; MN Data Practices Act
2
Emoluments/self-dealing
No self-dealing or emoluments issues documented. Former teacher earning modest governor's salary ($127,629/year). No business interests, investment portfolios, or real estate holdings creating self-dealing opportunities. Clean financial disclosure history through 12 years in Congress and governor's office.
Financial Disclosures; MN Governor Salary Records; FEC filings
3
Donor-to-contract pipeline
No documented pattern of donor-to-contract pipeline. Campaign finance records cross-referenced with state contracts show no systematic favoritism. Feeding Our Future fraud was nonprofit-level, not linked to campaign donors. No 'pay-to-play' allegations during tenure.
Campaign Finance cross-reference; MN CFB Records; State Procurement Records
3
Foreign influence
No foreign influence concerns regarding Walz directly. However, House Oversight reported some Feeding Our Future fraud proceeds were allegedly funneled overseas to Al-Shabaab and ISIS — a foreign influence concern at the program level, not gubernatorial level. No FARA violations. Walz's China teaching trips (1989-2003) scrutinized during VP campaign but no actionable concerns found.
DOJ FARA Database; House Oversight Mar 2026; VP campaign vetting
3
Sexual harassment claims
No sexual harassment claims filed against Walz or senior staff. Clean record through 12 years in Congress, 7+ years as governor, and 2024 VP campaign. No #MeToo era allegations. No settlements or complaints in state HR records.
State HR Records; Congressional Ethics Records; VP Campaign Vetting
3
Records preservation
Significant records preservation concerns. Axios (Jul 2024): governor's office claimed 'no texts existed' for capital investment bill inquiries. MDE records related to Feeding Our Future fraud reportedly incomplete. Congressional document requests from House Oversight met with delays. ACLJ filed multiple records requests alleging obstruction. Text message retention policies questioned.
OLA audit findings; Congressional document requests; Axios Jul 2024; ACLJ filings
1
Revolving door
No documented revolving door issues. Former teacher/football coach entered politics directly (Congress 2006, Governor 2018). No pattern of appointees moving to lobbying firms or regulated industries. Lt. Gov. Flanagan is career public servant. Cabinet selections drawn from government, education, and nonprofit sectors rather than industry.
State Employment Records; Governor's Office Appointment Records
3
Fraud losses in state programs
$9B+ in fraud across multiple state-administered programs — largest state-level fraud in US history. Feeding Our Future child nutrition: $250M+ (Jan 2026 estimate: up to $350M). 79 indicted, 63+ convicted including ringleader Aimee Bock. Autism/disability services, Medicaid, and housing fraud add billions more. Only ~$75M of Feeding Our Future funds recovered — rest spent on luxury goods, real estate, or sent overseas.
House Oversight Committee Mar 2026; DOJ prosecution; CBS News; MPR News; CNN
0
Program integrity — eligibility verification
SYSTEMIC FAILURE across MDE and DHS. Feeding Our Future sites claimed thousands of meals/day at nonexistent locations — zero site visits conducted. Autism service providers billed for patients not receiving care. Medicaid phantom enrollees. MDE had no fraud detection system, no eligibility verification, no cross-referencing. OLA: 'material control failures.' 30+ whistleblowers said they reported concerns as early as 2019 — all ignored per House Oversight.
FBI affidavits; OLA Special Reviews; DOJ evidence exhibits; House Oversight Mar 2026
0
IT system modernization
MN IT Services (MNIT) operates standard state IT infrastructure. Signed MN Consumer Data Privacy Act (May 2024, effective Jul 2025) — 19th state with comprehensive data privacy law. DEED rapidly deployed unemployment insurance system during COVID handling 1.25M claims in 2020 (called 'Minnesota Model' by Governing magazine). No major cybersecurity breaches reported.
MN IT Services; MN Consumer Data Privacy Act; Governing Magazine; NASCIO
3
Permit processing timeliness
Standard permit processing times across state agencies. No major permitting backlogs reported. Office of Cannabis Management established (2023) to process new marijuana business licenses — retail sales began early 2025. MnDOT managed 200+ construction projects annually with standard permitting. No significant complaints about state permitting delays.
State Agency Reports; MN Office of Cannabis Management; MnDOT
3
Child welfare system
Child nutrition program was the primary fraud vehicle: $250M+ in USDA funds stolen via Feeding Our Future while children who were supposed to receive meals did NOT. Ironically, Walz signed universal free school meals law (Mar 2023, $800M+ over 4 years, MN became 4th state) — but the fraud scandal undermined child welfare credibility. Children's mental health and foster care services maintained at standard levels.
USDA FNS Reviews; DOJ prosecution; MPR News Mar 2023; MN Dept of Education
1
Medicaid program management
Medicaid fraud included in $9B+ total per House Oversight — phantom enrollees, fraudulent billing, DHS oversight failures. Despite fraud, MN uninsured rate at 4.4% (well below national 8.0%). MinnesotaCare expanded to undocumented adults (Jan 2025, ~16,500 enrolled before Jun 2025 pause, $200M+ cost). CMS oversight failed at state level. Federal officers surged into MN focusing on daycare fraud (PBS, Dec 2025).
CMS OIG; House Oversight Mar 2026; MN DHS MinnesotaCare Data; PBS News
0
Environmental program
Signed landmark 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 law (Feb 7, 2023) — second state after Illinois. Interim targets: 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, 55% renewable by 2035. $1.6B environment/clean energy in 2023 budget. Environmental justice provisions require PUC to consider impacts on marginalized communities. EPA state program evaluations normal. MPCA operations standard.
EPA State Program Evaluations; MN Commerce Dept; Clean Air Task Force; Sierra Club
2
Transportation project delivery
MnDOT managed 200+ construction projects in 2023 (171 road/bridge + 52 airport/port/rail/transit). Received $4.8B IIJA highway formula funding over 5 years + $300M bridge funding. Legislature appropriated $216.4M IIJA match (2023). Major projects: Twin Ports Interchange (Duluth), I-35 Atkinson Bridge redecking. BUT Southwest LRT (Met Council) ballooned from $1.25B to $2.86B, delayed to 2027 — OLA found noncompliance.
MnDOT Project Delivery Reports; MnDOT IIJA page; OLA SWLRT Audit Apr 2025
2
Unemployment insurance system
DEED processed 1.25M UI claims in 2020. Estimated $430M in UI overpayments (Jul 2020-Jun 2023 per DOL audit), but MN's ~2% fraud rate was among lowest in nation. OLA found DEED's imposter screening 'effective despite pandemic strain' — stopped 2,500 suspicious accounts in Jun 2021 alone. Governing magazine called it 'Minnesota Model' for UI. Screening delayed some legitimate payments by 1+ week.
DOL UI Performance Metrics; OLA UI Fraud Review 2022; Governing Magazine; Star Tribune
1
Veterans services
MDVA (MN Dept of Veterans Affairs) operating normally. Camp Ripley awarded 2023 Secretary of Defense Large Installation Environmental Award. MDVA has bonding request to upgrade Minneapolis Veterans Home domiciliary (35% state, 65% federal VA match). Walz is 24-year Army Guard veteran (retired CSM) — personal connection to veterans issues. MN received $2.4B in FY2023 Defense spending. No major veterans care scandals.
MDVA Annual Report FY2024; Camp Ripley 2024 Report; DoD Spending Data
2
Housing program effectiveness
Housing programs were part of $9B+ fraud total — DHS-administered funds meant for low-income and disabled housing stolen. Twin Cities median home price ~$278K (near national average). Walz signed housing affordability measures in 2023 session but fraud scandal undermined housing program credibility. Homelessness in Minneapolis/St. Paul remains persistent challenge.
House Oversight Committee Mar 2026; DOJ prosecution; MN Housing Finance Agency; Census ACS
0
Corrections system
MN DOC incarceration rate 323/100K (includes all facilities). Prison population grew 9% between 2021-2023, projected from 8,000 (2024) to 9,000 (2025). Severe staffing shortage: corrections officers start at $21/hour vs $25/hour manufacturing. Walz proposed $414M DOC budget increase (27% boost to ~$1B/year). $12.6M deficit from staffing shortages. No major incidents but systemic staffing crisis.
MN DOC Annual Reports; DOC Performance Report 2024; Prison Policy Initiative; MN Reformer
2
Federal funding captured
MN captured significant federal funds: $4.8B IIJA highway formula + $300M bridge funding over 5 years. $2.4B Defense spending in FY2023. Multiple FEMA disaster declarations secured (2022-2024). BUT $250M+ in federal nutrition funds stolen via Feeding Our Future (only ~$75M recovered). Broader $9B fraud across federal programs — net federal fund stewardship catastrophically damaged.
USASpending.gov; MnDOT IIJA Data; DoD spending; DOJ prosecution records
1
Federal corrective action plans
USDA FNS intervened directly in MN child nutrition programs after fraud discovered — suspended program elements, required corrective action plans. CMS required Medicaid compliance reviews. Federal officers surged into MN focusing on daycare fraud (PBS, Dec 2025). DOJ opened investigation separate from state action. House Oversight expanded investigation into 'widespread fraud in Minnesota government programs' (Chairman Comer).
USDA FNS Program Reviews; CMS Compliance Records; PBS News Dec 2025; House Oversight
0
Interstate cooperation
Active in Midwest interstate cooperation. MN participates in Great Lakes Compact, Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, and other regional compacts. Camp Ripley hosted 558K DoD personnel and 71K interagency partners in 2024 (3rd busiest Guard training center nationally). Walz's 2025 national town hall tour (Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin) demonstrated interstate engagement beyond MN.
Interstate Compact Records; Camp Ripley 2024 Report; Axios; US News
2
Local government relations
Generally positive relations with League of Minnesota Cities and Association of Minnesota Counties. Local Government Aid (LGA) maintained/increased during tenure. Tension with Minneapolis during George Floyd unrest (20-hour Guard activation delay after Mayor Frey's request). 2023 session included significant local government funding in $72B budget. Met Council relationship strained by Southwest LRT cost overruns ($1.25B to $2.86B).
League of MN Cities Reports; Association of MN Counties; Star Tribune; CBS Minnesota
2
Federal litigation costs
Minimal direct federal litigation costs from state-initiated suits. AG Ellison joined multi-state coalitions on immigration enforcement challenges and other federal policy litigation. DOJ sued Minnesota over sanctuary policies. Feeding Our Future prosecution is federal (DOJ), not state-funded litigation. No major adverse federal judgments against state requiring payouts.
MN AG Litigation Report; DOJ v. Minnesota; Federal Court Records
2
Constituent inquiry response
Governor's office maintains constituent services at 130 State Capitol, St. Paul. Scheduling request system operational via mn.gov. Standard response times for constituent inquiries. Office staff handles correspondence, casework, and agency referrals. No reported systemic delays outside of COVID peak period and 2024 VP campaign absence.
Governor's Office Metrics; mn.gov Scheduling Request System
3
Town halls held
Regular public events and town halls throughout tenure. Former high school teacher — comfortable in public engagement settings. 2025: launched national town hall tour in GOP districts (Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin). Rochester MN town hall drew 1,500+ attendees. During COVID held daily press briefings. Limited MN public events during Aug-Nov 2024 VP campaign.
Governor's Office Schedule; KIMT Rochester; US News; Axios Twin Cities
2
Constituent satisfaction
Approval collapsed: from 56% (Q1 2025) to 48% approve/48% disapprove (lowest in 20 surveys over 4 years per SurveyUSA). Only 37% of male voters approve. Underwater outside Hennepin/Ramsey counties. Star Tribune poll: ~50% said he should NOT seek 3rd term. 43% preferred different DFL candidate. Satisfaction cratered as fraud scandal intensified through 2025-2026.
SurveyUSA/KSTP polls 2025; Star Tribune/MN Poll; RealClearPolling Walz favorability
1
ADA compliance
Standard ADA compliance maintained across state agencies and facilities. MN has strong disability rights framework. Lt. Gov. Flanagan (White Earth Band of Ojibwe) prioritized inclusion. FY2023 workforce data showed 1.6-point higher turnover among employees with disabilities vs overall 9.2% rate — indicating some workplace accommodation challenges but within normal range.
State ADA Coordinator Reports; MN MMB FY2023 Workforce Report
3
Electoral accountability
DROPPED REELECTION BID Jan 5, 2026 amid fraud scandal. Announced Sept 2025 he would seek unprecedented 3rd consecutive term, then withdrew 3 months later citing inability to 'give a political campaign his all.' CBS: 'amid criticism over his handling of fraud.' NBC: '$9B fraud cost.' NPR: 'drops out of race.' Left office with 48% approval (lowest ever). Constituents denied electoral verdict. Said he left with 'zero sadness and zero regret.'
CBS Minnesota Jan 2026; NBC News; NPR; Axios Twin Cities Jan 2026; KARE 11
0

Section B — State Outcomes 422/975

13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.

BEA: MN GDP growth 3.7% nominal (below 2.8% national real growth). BLS LAUS: unemployment 4.1% (near national avg). Census ACS: median household income $84,313 (well above national ~$75K, ranked ~10th). Labor force participation 69.3% (above national avg, among highest). Poverty rate 9.6% (below national 12.4%). MN is home to 16 Fortune 500 companies (UnitedHealth, Target, 3M, Best Buy, US Bancorp, General Mills) — highest per capita. 2023 budget session: $72B biennium (largest in MN history, 38% increase from prior $52B). 100% clean energy by 2040 law (Feb 2023) positions green economy. Cannabis legalization (2023) creating new industry. But $9B fraud and federal investigations damaging business confidence.
Census 2025: MN population 5.83M, net gain of 33,000 (0.6% growth). First net domestic migration gain since 2018 — +8,300 domestic migrants (ranking jumped from 41st to 17th nationally). Net international migration +12,500 (2025, down from 33,000 in 2024 due to reduced immigration). Natural change declining: 28,408 more births than deaths in 2011, just 12,071 by 2025. Deaths projected to outpace births by 2038. Suburban boom: Wright County +10.8%, Sherburne County +8.1%. Rural decline: Traverse County -12.8%. Fastest growth in exurban ring counties. State Demographic Center projects natural decline by late 2040s — migration will be sole growth source.
$2.47B biennium surplus (Nov 2025 forecast for FY26-27) on paper BUT $9B+ in fraud means billions were stolen from state-administered programs. Moody's/S&P/Fitch: AAA credit rating maintained (Moody's cited 'strong reserves and liquidity'). Budget reserve at $2.66B statutory maximum — untouched through COVID and natural disasters. Pension funded at ~80% (above national median). Feb 2023 forecast projected $17.5B structural surplus for FY24-25 biennium — legislature spent nearly all in $72B budget. Nov 2025: surplus fell sharply to $2.47B. New spending commitments created structural pressure. Net fiscal integrity devastated: programs funded at $72B but billions stolen, program delivery compromised.
BCA Uniform Crime Report 2024: violent crime rate 259/100K (down 0.7% from 261 in 2023, well below national ~359). 14,991 total violent crimes in 2024 — murder down 6%, aggravated assault down 2%, but rape up 5%, robbery up 2%. Twin Cities metro violent crime up 1%; greater Minnesota down 3%. Minneapolis: 4,911 violent crimes (2024), rate 1,160/100K — among highest major cities. MPD has ~600 sworn officers (funded for 731). Minneapolis budget: $7M overtime + $16M consent decree compliance. $2.9M Behavioral Crisis Response expansion. Incarceration rate 323/100K (below national avg). DOC population projected 8,000-9,000 (2024-25). Statewide crime falling but Minneapolis remains elevated. George Floyd consent decree driving reform spending.
NAEP 4th grade math 241 (above national 235). HS graduation 83.8%. Per-pupil spending $14,800 (above avg). BUT child nutrition program fraud means thousands of children did NOT receive meals they were entitled to.
Uninsured rate 4.4% (well below national 8.0%). Life expectancy 79.1 years (above national 77.5). Infant mortality 5.2/1K (below national 5.4). MinnesotaCare expanded to undocumented adults ($200M+ annual cost). Mayo Clinic system anchors state healthcare. BUT Feeding Our Future fraud ($250M+ stolen from child nutrition) devastated program integrity — part of $9B+ total pandemic fraud, largest in US history.
FHWA NBI: 4.7% bridges structurally deficient (below national 7.5%). 14% of roads in poor condition (near national avg). Broadband: 89% access (below MN's 2026 universal goal). Grid reliability adequate through severe winters. MnDOT managed 200+ construction projects in 2023 (171 road/bridge + 52 airport/port/rail/transit). $4.8B IIJA highway formula funding + $300M bridge funding over 5 years. Legislature appropriated $216.4M IIJA match (2023). Major projects: Twin Ports Interchange (Duluth), I-35 Atkinson Bridge. Southwest LRT ballooned from $1.25B to $2.86B (129% overrun), delayed to 2027 — OLA found noncompliance in Apr 2025 audit. Camp Ripley: 3rd busiest Guard training center nationally ($83M expenditures, 558K personnel in 2024).
BLS CPI-U: 3.1% avg inflation (near national). BEA RPP: 97.8 (prices slightly below national avg — moderate cost state). Housing: Twin Cities median $278K (near national $400K — relatively affordable). Rent burden: 28% of income (near national avg). Minneapolis/St. Paul property taxes among highest in Midwest. State income tax top rate 9.85% (among highest nationally). No sales tax on clothing — helps lower-income families. Gas prices near national avg. Groceries near national avg. Healthcare costs above national (but coverage rate excellent at 4.4% uninsured). Overall moderate cost of living but high tax burden offsets.
MN operates under Data Practices Act (MGDPA, Ch. 13), not FOIA. Administration transparency severely questioned: Axios found governor's office claimed 'no texts existed' for capital investment bill inquiries (Jul 2024). House Oversight (Mar 2026) found administration 'not forthcoming' with fraud-related information to Congress or federal agencies. 30+ whistleblowers testified they reported concerns as early as 2019 — all ignored. ACLJ filed multiple DPA requests to expose fraud knowledge. Walz issued EO 25-10 directing agencies to publish program integrity actions — reactive after scandal. MN Consumer Data Privacy Act signed (May 2024, effective Jul 2025, 19th state). mn.gov/opendata portal functional with budget, spending, workforce data. OLA reports published independently on auditor.leg.state.mn.us. Records preservation questioned — text message retention policies unclear.
$9B+ largest state-level fraud in US history across multiple programs. Feeding Our Future: $250M-350M stolen, 79 indicted, 63+ convicted including ringleader Aimee Bock. Only ~$75M recovered — rest spent on luxury goods, real estate, or sent overseas (House Oversight: some funds to Al-Shabaab/ISIS). Autism/disability, Medicaid, housing fraud add billions more. Congressional hearing (Mar 4, 2026) titled 'Walz and Ellison Lied' — Committee found governor's testimony contradicted MDE internal emails. 30+ whistleblowers testified to retaliation. Dropped unprecedented 3rd-term reelection bid Jan 5, 2026 amid scandal. Federal officers surged into MN (PBS Dec 2025). Federal investigations ongoing. UPDATE (Apr 2026): $9 billion fraud scandal escalated — House Oversight Committee found Walz lied under testimony about knowledge of fraud, retaliated against whistleblowers. Abandoned re-election bid. Republicans drafted Articles of Impeachment (House split 67-67). Feeding Our Future alone involved ~$300M in stolen funds.
Against predecessor Mark Dayton (D, 2011-2019): Dayton left with strong legacy — same-sex marriage legalization, US Bank Stadium construction, $310M Capitol restoration, first Pheasant Summit (2014), stream buffer law (2016). Dayton declined to seek re-election. Walz inherited $2B surplus from Dayton, expanded it to $17.5B (2023) — then spent nearly all in $72B budget (largest in MN history, 38% increase). Fiscal integrity worst in MN history: $9B+ fraud vs Dayton's clean tenure. Walz signed landmark legislation (100% clean energy by 2040, cannabis legalization, free school meals) but fraud scandal obliterated legacy. Dayton's approval at departure was ~47%; Walz dropped to 48% approve/48% disapprove and DROPPED re-election bid. Among worst-performing MN governors when fraud is factored.
Approval cratered: from 56% (Q1 2025) to 48% approve/48% disapprove (SurveyUSA, lowest in 20 surveys over 4 years). Only 37% of male voters approve. Underwater outside Hennepin/Ramsey counties. Star Tribune poll: ~50% said he should NOT seek 3rd term, 43% preferred different DFL candidate. DROPPED REELECTION BID Jan 5, 2026 — announced Sept 2025 he would seek unprecedented 3rd term, withdrew 3 months later amid fraud scandal. CBS: 'amid criticism over his handling of fraud.' Left with 'zero sadness and zero regret.' Constituents denied electoral verdict on $9B fraud. Cross-party approval collapsed. Rochester town hall drew 1,500+ (2025) but broader DFL support eroded.
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Section C — Oath Fidelity -30 (-378 to +378)

126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.

+3Exemplary +2Strong +1Adequate 0Neutral -1Concerning -2Failing -3Hostile

Protection of Life

Declaration of Independence; 5th/14th Amendments
Score: 4 Range: -93 to 93 Items: 31
Violent crime rate trend
MN violent crime rate ~282 per 100K (2023), below national average but increased significantly from ~237 pre-Walz (2018). Minneapolis crime spike during 2020-2022 particularly severe. Modest improvement 2023-2024 but still elevated.
FBI UCR/NIBRS; MN BCA crime data
-1
Homicide rate relative to national average
MN homicide rate approximately 3.5-4.0 per 100K (2023), within 15% below national average. Minneapolis homicides peaked in 2021 (~97) and declined to ~50 in 2024. Improving but still above pre-2020 baseline.
FBI UCR; CDC WONDER; Minneapolis PD
0
Homicide clearance rate
MN homicide clearance rate approximately 35-40%, below national average. Minneapolis PD clearance rate dropped significantly during staffing crisis. BCA investigative resources strained.
FBI UCR; MN BCA; Minneapolis PD
-1
Law enforcement staffing adequacy
Minneapolis PD lost 40%+ of sworn officers (from ~900 to ~550) after George Floyd events (2020) and defund movement. Walz did not intervene effectively to prevent staffing collapse. State patrol adequately staffed but city police crisis severe.
FBI LEOKA; Minneapolis PD staffing; MN POST Board
-2
Drug overdose death rate trend
MN drug overdose rate approximately 22 per 100K, rising. Fentanyl deaths increasing significantly. Some treatment investment but outcomes worsening. Below worst states but trending negatively.
CDC WONDER; MDH opioid data
-1
Emergency management preparedness
HSEM meets most FEMA capability targets. Good flood and severe weather preparedness. Tornado and winter storm response historically strong.
FEMA SPR; MN HSEM
+1
Preventable mass-casualty event response
George Floyd aftermath (May 2020) — Minneapolis burned for days. Walz delayed National Guard deployment. Third Precinct abandoned and burned. Over $500M in property damage. Response widely criticized as too slow. State of emergency declared late.
MN National Guard after-action; media reporting; state damage estimates
-2
Infrastructure safety — bridge and road conditions
MN structurally deficient bridges approximately 5% — better than national average. Road conditions adequate. I-35W bridge replacement (2007) drove infrastructure investment. MnDOT well-funded.
FHWA NBI; ASCE MN; MnDOT
+1
Water and dam safety compliance
MN water systems generally compliant. Lake water quality monitoring extensive. 3M/PFAS contamination settlement ($10.3B, 2018) preceded Walz but cleanup ongoing under his administration. Dam safety adequate.
EPA SDWIS; MN DNR; MPCA
+1
Healthcare access — uninsured rate
MN uninsured rate approximately 4.5% (2023 ACS). MNsure marketplace functional. Medicaid expansion (MinnesotaCare) covers low-income. Strong healthcare access.
Census ACS; KFF; MNsure
+2
Maternal mortality rate
MN maternal mortality rate approximately 12-15 per 100K live births, below national average. Strong hospital network. Good prenatal care access.
CDC WONDER; MDH
+2
Infant mortality rate
MN infant mortality rate approximately 4.5 per 1,000 live births, below national average. Strong neonatal care. Racial disparities persist but overall rate good.
CDC WONDER; NCHS
+2
Self-defense rights — Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground
MN has limited Castle Doctrine. No duty to retreat in home. Duty to retreat outside home with exceptions. No Stand Your Ground. Moderate self-defense framework.
MN Stat. 609.065; NRA-ILA
0
Death penalty procedural safeguards
MN abolished death penalty in 1911. LWOP available. Victim services funded. Adequate restitution programs. Long-standing abolition.
MN Statutes; Death Penalty Information Center
+1
Suicide prevention program funding and outcomes
MN suicide rate approximately 12 per 100K, slightly below national average. Funded prevention programs. 988 integration. Average outcomes.
CDC WISQARS; AFSP MN; MDH
0
911/emergency response time adequacy
MN EMS response adequate in metro area. Rural areas face typical challenges. NFPA compliance above 80% in most jurisdictions. Minneapolis FD adequately staffed.
NFPA; MN EMSRB
+1
Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding
MN has opioid response plan with some funding. Treatment capacity expanding. Overdose deaths rising but not as severely as worst-affected states. Mixed outcomes.
SAMHSA; MDH; CDC WONDER
0
Veteran suicide and healthcare access
MN MDVA provides funded veteran services. Veterans homes system. Walz (former National Guard CSM) personally invested in veteran issues. Veteran homelessness relatively low.
VA SAIL; MN MDVA; HUD PIT
+1
Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement
MDA food safety program meets most FDA standards. Inspection frequency adequate. No major outbreaks linked to inspection failures.
FDA Conformance; MDA
+1
Workplace fatality rate
MN workplace fatality rate approximately 3.5 per 100K FTE, near national average. Mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors.
BLS CFOI; MN DOLI OSHA
+1
Domestic violence fatality rate and funding
MN has DV fatality review. Day One Crisis Hotline and shelters funded. DV homicide rate below national average. Good overall framework.
MN Office of Justice Programs; NNEDV
+1
Correctional facility death rate and conditions
MN DOC death rates near national average. Stillwater and other facilities adequate conditions. No active DOJ CRIPA investigation.
BJS; MN DOC
0
Pollution-related mortality and environmental health
MN generally meets EPA NAAQS. Good air quality. 3M/PFAS contamination being addressed ($10.3B settlement). Strong environmental enforcement through MPCA.
EPA Green Book; MPCA; 3M settlement
+1
Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate
MN traffic fatality rate approximately 0.9-1.0 per 100M VMT, below national average. Good highway safety. Toward Zero Deaths program effective.
NHTSA FARS; MnDOT; TZD program
+1
Sanctity of life legislative framework
Walz signed PRO Act (2023) codifying right to abortion with no gestational limits. Removed all previous restrictions including waiting period, parental notification, and informed consent requirements. Among most permissive abortion frameworks in nation. Used state funds to promote abortion access.
MN HF 1 (2023); Guttmacher; Dobbs v. Jackson (2022)
-3
Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence
$100M+ grants for homelessness. $150M for violence prevention. Harm reduction approach.
mn.gov/governor
0
Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion
Minnesota lost 19,000+ residents in 2022. Net domestic outmigration ~46,000 from 2020-2023.
americanexperiment.org; freebeacon.com
-1
Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement
Proposed $550M public safety plan. $300M+ one-time funding. Rejected 'defund police' rhetoric.
mn.gov/governor; kare11.com
+1
Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail
No tough-on-recidivism measures. $150M includes prison re-entry and restorative justice.
mn.gov/governor
-1
Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities
Actively defended trans athletes. Minnesota refused DOJ Title IX compliance. AG sued to block biological sex rules.
spokesman.com; ed.gov
-3
Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention
Signed mental health package (June 2022). $55M for crisis response.
ajmc.com; mn.gov/governor
+1

Constitutional Rights

Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X); 14th Amendment incorporation
Score: -14 Range: -87 to 87 Items: 29
Second Amendment — right to carry status
MN is shall-issue with objective criteria. Permit process functional. Generally Bruen-compliant. No changes to carry framework under Walz.
MN Stat. 624.714; USCCA
0
Second Amendment — semi-automatic rifle restrictions
MN has no assault weapons ban. Walz has supported bans publicly but failed to pass one through legislature. Common rifles remain legal.
MN Statutes; legislative records
0
Second Amendment — magazine capacity restrictions
MN has no magazine capacity restrictions. Proposals to enact limits failed in legislature. Standard-capacity magazines legal.
MN Statutes; NRA-ILA
0
Second Amendment — Red Flag / ERPO due process
Walz signed red flag law (2023). Extreme Risk Protection Order with ex parte initial order. Hearing within 14 days. Preponderance standard. No appointed counsel guaranteed. No false-filing penalties.
MN SF 2909 (2023); ERPO statute
-1
First Amendment — campus free speech protections
MN has no campus free speech statute. UMN has had documented suppression incidents. DEI requirements expanding in higher education hiring. Below average campus speech environment.
FIRE campus rankings; MN legislation
-1
First Amendment — anti-SLAPP protections
MN has a narrow anti-SLAPP statute. Basic protections. Limited scope compared to comprehensive statutes.
MN Stat. 554; Public Participation Project
0
First Amendment — religious liberty protections
MN has no state RFRA. COVID-era church restrictions more strict than secular business restrictions — churches limited while liquor stores open. Walz's COVID orders disproportionately impacted religious gatherings.
COVID executive orders; Becket Fund; church lawsuits
-1
Fourth Amendment — warrant requirements for digital surveillance
MN relies on federal Carpenter standard with some state constitutional protections. No comprehensive electronic privacy statute.
MN Constitution; EFF; ACLU MN
0
Fourth Amendment — civil asset forfeiture reform
MN enacted strong civil forfeiture reform (2021). Criminal conviction required. Burden on government. Among better reform states.
MN Stat. 609.531 reform; Institute for Justice
+1
Fifth Amendment — eminent domain protections post-Kelo
MN has constitutional provisions protecting against economic development takings. Moderate Kelo reform. Property rights protections above average.
MN Constitution; Castle Coalition
+1
Due process — regulatory takings and permitting timelines
MN has moderate regulatory environment. Permitting timelines generally met. Some environmental permitting delays for mining projects. Average performance.
State auditor reports; MPCA data
0
Tenth Amendment — federal overreach resistance
Walz generally acquiesces to federal authority. No state sovereignty pushback. Extended COVID emergency powers aligned with and exceeded federal mandates. Passive posture on overreach.
Governor's executive orders; litigation dockets
-1
Equal Protection — state contracting nondiscrimination
MN maintains race-conscious contracting and hiring programs. Expanded DEI requirements post-SFFA. No SFFA compliance review. Continuing and expanding pre-SFFA framework.
MN Admin; state procurement data
-1
Second Amendment — state preemption of local firearms laws
MN has partial state preemption of local firearms laws. Some local authority preserved. No changes under Walz. Generally functional preemption.
MN Stat. 471.633; NRA-ILA
0
First Amendment — government transparency and FOIA compliance
MN Data Practices Act provides public records access. Compliance generally adequate. Some documented delays from governor's office during COVID era. Average performance.
MN Data Practices Act; RCFP; Star Tribune audits
0
Sixth Amendment — public defender funding adequacy
MN Board of Public Defense caseloads above recommended but not crisis-level. Walz signed funding increases. Salary improvements enacted. Moderate but improving.
Sixth Amendment Center; MN BPD; legislative appropriations
0
Eighth Amendment — bail reform and pretrial detention
MN has standard bail system with some risk-based pretrial reforms. Cash bail still used. No extreme positions. Average framework.
Pretrial Justice Institute; MN court data
0
Property rights — regulatory burden and economic freedom
MN ranks above average in regulatory burden. High tax environment (2023 budget raised taxes significantly). Expanding regulation in labor, environment, and housing. Growing regulatory burden under Walz.
Mercatus RegData; Cato Economic Freedom; Tax Foundation
-1
Second Amendment — governor's litigation posture on firearms cases
MN AG Keith Ellison has pursued gun control litigation and filed anti-2A amicus briefs. Active but not the most aggressive anti-2A posture nationally.
AG litigation dockets; amicus filings
-1
First Amendment — compelled speech protections
MN has some compelled speech elements. Mandatory pronoun policies in government agencies and some schools. Professional licensing includes DEI requirements. Trans Refuge Act requires respect for gender identity.
MN agency policies; school district policies; Trans Refuge Act
-1
Commerce Clause compliance — interstate trade barriers
MN has average interstate commerce environment. Some licensing barriers. Limited protectionist regulations.
IJ; court rulings
0
Privileges and Immunities — occupational licensing reform
MN enacted some licensing reform including military spouse expedited licensing and universal license recognition. Walz signed some reform bills. Above average progress.
IJ License to Work; NCSL; MN DOLI
+1
Contract Clause — state compliance with contractual obligations
MN pension systems approximately 80% funded aggregate. AAA bond rating from all three agencies. Contracts honored. Strong fiscal management. Among best-managed pension states.
Pew pension; MSRS/TRA/PERA CAFRs; bond ratings
+2
Jury trial rights — civil and criminal jury access
MN has standard jury trial access. District court system adequate. Some COVID-era backlog reduced. No documented jury access crisis.
MN Judicial Branch reports; NCSC
0
Immigration law compliance — Supremacy Clause adherence
MN is sanctuary-friendly. Walz signed driver's licenses for illegal aliens (2023). Limits on state/local ICE cooperation. No state E-Verify mandate. In-state tuition for illegal aliens. State benefits extended to illegal alien populations.
MN HF 4 (2023); 8 USC 1373; FAIR sanctuary database
-2
Qualified immunity / due process for officers
Multiple legislative attempts to end QI. Walz has not publicly opposed. Progressive framework.
aclu-mn.org
-1
Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody
Minnesota does not require any ID to vote. Same-day registration. No verification.
americafirstpolicy.com; rvmnews.com
-2
Non-citizen voting prevention
Signed 'Driver's License for All' for undocumented. Auto Voter Registration linked to licenses. Non-citizen received ballot.
evrimagaci.org; foxnews.com
-3
Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics
Publicly defended trans athletes at convention. Refused Title IX compliance. AG filed suit against federal protections.
spokesman.com; ed.gov
-3

Child Welfare & Parental Rights

Meyer v. Nebraska; Pierce v. Society of Sisters; Troxel v. Granville; 14th Amendment
Score: 8 Range: -75 to 75 Items: 25
Parental rights legislation — statutory recognition
MN has no Parental Bill of Rights. Walz signed legislation (2023) overriding parental rights in multiple domains. Trans Refuge Act allows minors to access gender-transition care without parental consent from other states. Active weakening of parental authority.
MN 2023 legislative session; Trans Refuge Act
-2
Education choice — school choice programs
MN pioneered charter schools (1991) but choice has stagnated. No ESA/voucher. Tax credit/deduction for education expenses exists (MN Education Credit). Charter sector adequate but no expansion under Walz.
EdChoice MN; NAPCS; MN DESE
-1
Parental notification/consent for medical procedures on minors
Walz signed legislation (2023) removing parental notification requirements for minors seeking abortion. Trans Refuge Act allows minors from other states to access gender care. Broad expansion of minor consent provisions.
MN 2023 session; Guttmacher; Trans Refuge Act
-2
Gender-transition procedures for minors — restrictions
Walz signed Trans Refuge Act (2023) making MN a 'refuge' state protecting providers and minors from other states' laws. No restrictions on any gender-transition procedures for minors including surgery. State Medicaid covers all transition procedures. Active facilitation and recruitment of out-of-state minors.
MN SF 37/HF 146 (2023); Trans Refuge Act; MN Medicaid
-3
Child abuse and neglect — substantiated case rate trend
MN child maltreatment rate near national average. DHS investigations adequate. No significant trend change during Walz tenure.
ACF NCANDS; MN DHS data
0
Foster care — CFSR conformity assessment
MN CFSR results mixed. Conformity on approximately 4 of 7 outcomes. County-administered system creates variability. Standard overall performance.
ACF CFSR; MN DHS
0
Foster care — permanency outcomes
MN foster care permanency outcomes near national average. County system means variable quality. Median time adequate. Average performance.
ACF AFCARS; MN DHS
0
Child trafficking prevention and prosecution
MN has comprehensive trafficking statute. BCA-led task force active. Safe harbor provisions enacted (2011, model legislation). Good prosecution framework.
Polaris Project; Shared Hope International; MN BCA
+1
Education outcomes — 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency
MN 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency approximately 35% at or above proficient (2022), above national average. Historically strong education state.
NCES NAEP 2022
+1
Education outcomes — 8th grade NAEP math proficiency
MN 8th grade NAEP math proficiency approximately 37% at or above proficient (2022), well above national average of 26%. Among top states for math.
NCES NAEP 2022
+2
Parental curriculum transparency
MN enacted new sex education standards (2023) with limited parental notification. Some districts implement gender-identity curriculum without meaningful opt-out. Transparency weakened by 2023 legislative session.
MN DESE standards; school district policies
-2
Social media — minor protections
MN enacted social media minor protections (2024). Children's Online Privacy Act. Age verification and data protections. Among early adopter states.
NCSL; MN legislation 2024
+1
Juvenile justice — age-appropriate treatment
MN juvenile jurisdiction extends to 18. Rehabilitation-focused. DHS programs well-funded. Declining juvenile incarceration. Good juvenile justice framework.
JJDPA; OJJDP MN; MN DHS
+1
Child poverty rate and state response
MN child poverty rate approximately 9% (2023 ACS), well below national average. Strong economy and social safety net. Child Tax Credit enacted (2023).
Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT; MN Child Tax Credit
+2
Adoption and permanency — adoptive family support
MN has standard adoption programs. No notable enhancements or barriers. No faith-based agency protection statute.
ACF AFCARS; MN DHS adoption
0
Homeschool rights and protections
MN has moderate homeschool framework. Notification required. Must provide instruction in required subjects. Annual assessment (standardized testing). Diploma recognition. Generally permissive.
HSLDA MN; MN Stat. 120A.22
+1
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) enforcement
MN BCA ICAC task force well-funded. AG's office active on CSAM prosecution. Good enforcement and reporting compliance.
ICAC; NCMEC; MN BCA
+1
School safety — violence prevention and incident response
MN has school safety center. Safe Schools Levy. SRO programs in most larger districts. Threat assessment mandated. Good framework.
MN School Safety Center; NASRO; MN DESE
+1
Children's mental health services access
MN school counselor ratio approximately 350:1, above national average. Funded children's mental health programs. School-based mental health expanding. Good investment.
ASCA; SAMHSA MN; MN DHS
+1
Childhood vaccination — parental choice protections
MN has medical and conscientious objection (philosophical) exemptions for school immunization. Broad parental choice. Standard framework maintained under Walz.
NCSL; CDC; MN immunization statutes
0
Child care affordability and access
MN enacted significant child care investment in 2023 session. Subsidy eligibility expanded. Great Start scholarships. Above-average child care access and funding.
ACF CCDF; MN DHS; 2023 session legislation
+1
Education — teacher quality and retention
MN teacher quality above average. Vacancy rates moderate (~4-5%). Salary competitive. Retention above 90%. Strong education workforce.
NCES; MN DESE workforce; NEA
+1
Child nutrition — food insecurity rate
MN child food insecurity approximately 8% — well below national average. Universal free school meals enacted (2023). Among best states for child nutrition access.
USDA ERS; Feeding America; MN universal meals
+2
Custody and family court — due process in child removal
MN family courts have strong due process framework. Appointed counsel available. Guardian ad litem program. Good protections.
MN Judicial Branch; ABA; MN statutes
+1
Children with disabilities — IDEA compliance
MN rated 'Meets Requirements' by OSEP. Strong special education framework. Good per-pupil spending. Most districts compliant.
OSEP annual determinations; IDEA Part B
+1

Faithful Discharge of Duties

Gubernatorial oath; Art. IV Sec. 4; state constitutional requirements
Score: -28 Range: -123 to 123 Items: 41
Budget balance — structural surplus/deficit
MN budget balanced but 2023 session spent $17.5B surplus on massive new programs — 38% budget increase. Structural surplus shrinking rapidly ($2.47B projected FY26-27 vs $17.5B FY24-25). New ongoing commitments creating structural pressure.
MN CAFR; MMB forecasts; NASBO
0
State credit rating stability
MN holds AAA from all three agencies — first governor to achieve that for four consecutive years. Fitch, Moody's, and S&P all at highest rating with stable outlook. National model fiscal position.
S&P; Moody's; Fitch; Governor's office
+3
Rainy day / budget stabilization fund adequacy
MN Budget Reserve at statutory maximum of $2.66B throughout tenure. Among best-funded reserves in nation. Untouched even during pandemic and massive spending increase.
MMB Budget Reserve; NASBO; Pew rainy day
+3
Pension system funding responsibility
MN pension systems approximately 80% funded aggregate (MSRS, TRA, PERA). Making full ARC payments. AAA credit reflects pension management. Above national average.
Pew pension; MSRS/TRA/PERA CAFRs
+1
State debt burden
MN debt per capita below national median. Debt-to-GDP moderate. Conservative borrowing. AAA rating reflects manageable debt burden.
Census; Moody's; MN Management & Budget
+1
Government efficiency — state employee headcount per capita
2023 budget added significant new state programs and employees. State workforce growing faster than population. New agencies and programs expanding government footprint.
Census Public Employment; MN MMB; 2023 budget analysis
-1
Inspector General / state auditor independence
MN Legislative Auditor independent. Performance audits conducted. Walz generally responsive. Some criticism of 2023 Feeding Our Future fraud oversight failure.
MN Office of Legislative Auditor; audit reports
0
Ethics violations and personal scandals
House Oversight Committee (Mar 4, 2026) found Walz was aware of credible fraud as early as 2019, lied about knowledge under congressional testimony, and retaliated against whistleblowers. $9 billion total estimated fraud. Abandoned re-election. Impeachment articles drafted. The most severe ethics collapse of any sitting governor.
House Oversight Committee hearing wrap-up (Mar 4, 2026); MPR News timeline; Star Tribune editorial
-3
Executive order restraint
Walz issued extensive COVID executive orders. Volume well above historical norms during 2020-2022. Some orders challenged. Extended emergency powers repeatedly without legislative approval.
MN Governor's EO database; COVID orders
-1
Emergency powers — adherence to statutory limits
Walz maintained COVID emergency powers for over 15 months — longest in the nation. Extended emergency repeatedly despite legislative opposition. Used powers for mask mandates, business closures, and curfews. Legislature eventually stripped powers but only after prolonged fight. Arrested citizens for violating orders.
MN emergency statutes; legislative records; peacetime emergency extensions
-3
Legislative cooperation — veto override rate
Walz works with DFL-majority legislature (since 2023). Few vetoes; rare overrides when working with same party. Divided government (2019-2022) had more friction but still functional.
MN Legislature records
+1
Judicial appointments — qualifications and process integrity
Walz follows standard appointment process. Appointees generally meet qualification standards. Diverse appointments. No documented patronage issues.
MN judicial appointments; state bar
+1
Timely execution of laws — implementation of enacted legislation
Generally adequate but Feeding Our Future oversight failure represents major implementation gap. Sanctuary-like immigration policies constitute selective federal non-enforcement. Some 2023 program implementation delayed.
State agency data; Feeding Our Future; ICE data
-1
Federal fund utilization — grant management
Feeding Our Future represents catastrophic federal fund mismanagement — $250M in federal pandemic food aid stolen. Largest such fraud in nation. DHS failed oversight responsibilities. FBI investigation and prosecution of 70+ defendants.
DOJ prosecution; Federal Audit Clearinghouse; FBI
-2
Public approval as competence indicator
Walz approval approximately 42-47% pre-VP run (Morning Consult). Polarizing figure. VP nomination (2024) elevated national profile but MN approval mixed. Adequate but not high.
Morning Consult; MN polls
0
State IT security and data protection
MN.IT has CISO. Cybersecurity investment growing. No major breaches during Walz tenure. Good framework.
NASCIO; MN.IT Services
+1
Infrastructure spending — capital budget execution
MN capital budget execution adequate. 2023 bonding bill invested in infrastructure. ASCE grade C+ for MN. MnDOT projects generally on schedule.
ASCE MN; MnDOT; bonding bills
+1
Disaster fund readiness
MN has strong reserves providing disaster buffer. FEMA cost-share met. Adequate for flood, tornado, and severe weather events common in MN.
FEMA; MN HSEM; disaster fund data
+1
Workforce development — unemployment system integrity
MN UI trust fund adequate but pandemic-era fraud significant. Feeding Our Future fraud ($250M) was food aid not UI but represents systemic weakness. DEED processing improved from pandemic backlogs.
DOL UI Data; MN DEED
-1
Medicaid program integrity
MN Medicaid (DHS) error rates near national average. No federal sanctions. Budget compliance adequate. DHS management questioned after Feeding Our Future.
CMS PERM; MN DHS
0
Election administration — constitutional compliance
MN does not require photo voter ID (rejected by voters, 2012 constitutional amendment failed). Paper ballot trail. Post-election audits conducted. Same-day registration. Voter roll maintenance adequate.
EAC EAVS; Verified Voting; MN SOS
0
Transparency — state budget accessibility
MN has transparency portal (MN Open Data). Budget documents accessible online. Checkbook-level spending data available. Good transparency.
U.S. PIRG; MN Open Data; MMB
+1
Intergovernmental cooperation — federal compliance balanced with sovereignty
Sanctuary-like policies limit federal immigration cooperation. Otherwise cooperative on other federal programs. Selective non-compliance on immigration enforcement while accepting federal funds.
Federal compliance records; ICE data
-1
Gubernatorial succession and continuity planning
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan succeeded Walz when he ran for VP. Demonstrates functioning succession. Now Flanagan is governor with own Lt. Gov TBD situation during transition.
MN Constitution; FEMA COOP
0
Anti-corruption — state procurement integrity
Feeding Our Future fraud raises serious procurement/oversight questions. DHS failed to catch $250M fraud. Competitive bidding generally adequate for standard procurement but oversight gaps documented.
DOJ prosecution; MN state auditor; OLA reports
-1
Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade
Gas tax rose to 32.6 cents. #1 state for tax increase. Previously sought 70% increase. Indexed for auto-increases.
revenue.state.mn.us
-1
Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy
Signed 100% carbon-free by 2040. Electricity prices grew 1.67x faster than national. $313B estimated cost.
energybadboys.substack.com
-2
Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness
100% clean energy by 2040 without readiness. $313B cost. $136/month per household projected.
energybadboys.substack.com
-2
Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median
Property taxes rising. Ramsey County proposed 9.75% increase. No relief implemented.
house.mn.gov; taxfoundation.org
-1
Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business
Highest corporate tax at 9.8%. New payroll tax. Clean energy compliance costs.
taxpolicycenter.org
-2
Unfunded mandates on municipalities
Clean energy mandate imposes unfunded costs. Property tax increases driven to local level.
energybadboys.substack.com
-1
Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend
Highest corporate tax. Rising property taxes. Auto gas tax increases. $1,642/year energy mandate impact.
americanexperiment.org; freebeacon.com
-2
Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies
$1B+ welfare fraud (Feeding Our Future). Expanded eligibility for undocumented immigrants. Sanctuary status.
whitehouse.gov; jpost.com
-3
Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes
$100M+ grants but $1B+ Feeding Our Future fraud under his watch. Massive accountability failure.
mn.gov/governor; whitehouse.gov
-2
Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling
No enforcement post-Grants Pass. Focus on harm reduction.
mn.gov/governor
-1
Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving
Lost 19,000+ in 2022. Net domestic outmigration ~46,000 (2020-2023). 94% growth from international.
americanexperiment.org; freebeacon.com
-2
Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy
Highest corporate tax at 9.8%. ~$5B in AGI left Minnesota during Walz tenure.
freebeacon.com; americanexperiment.org
-2
DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors
No DA accountability action. AG focused on suing federal government.
General research
-1
Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency
No voter ID. Auto registration tied to non-citizen licenses. Same-day no verification. Non-citizen confirmed able to vote.
americafirstpolicy.com; rvmnews.com
-3
Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents
AG filed suit against federal orders. $1B fraud under watch. Progressive activism through AG office.
jpost.com; minnesotareformer.com
-1
Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes
No TikTok ban. No foreign land restrictions. Sanctuary policies undermine national security posture.
americafirstpolicy.com; jpost.com
-2
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