Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drew criticism from Republican lawmakers during his final State of the State address, where he discussed the state's record on addressing fraud.

Republican legislators criticized Walz's comments about fraud prevention efforts, with some calling his remarks inappropriate given ongoing concerns about state fraud cases. The governor's address marked one of his final major speeches before leaving office.

Meanwhile, the race to replace Walz in 2026 experienced a significant development as Republican candidate Kristin Robbins announced her withdrawal from the gubernatorial contest. Robbins cited changed political calculations following Sen. Amy Klobuchar's entry into the Democratic primary as her reason for ending her campaign.

Robbins stated she no longer saw a viable path to victory given the altered dynamics in the race. Her departure reshapes the Republican field for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The developments come as Minnesota prepares for a competitive governor's race in 2026, with both parties organizing their campaigns and potential candidates evaluating their prospects in the changing political landscape.