Amy Klobuchar’s Senate Exit: List of Democrats Most Likely to Replace Her - Newsweek

With Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar set to become Minnesota's governor in January, attention is already turning to who could be appointed to fill the Senate seat she will leave behind.

Klobuchar defeated Republican state House Speaker Lisa Demuth with about 55 percent of the vote compared to Demuth’s 42 percent in the North Star State's gubernatorial election. Her victory followed the decision by outgoing Governor Tim Walz not to seek a third term amid a corruption controversy that clouded the final years of his administration, creating an open-seat race that ultimately elevated Klobuchar to the state's top office and now leaves Democrats searching for a successor in the U.S. Senate.

Under Minnesota law, a U.S. Senate vacancy is filled by gubernatorial appointment, meaning the decision could fall to either Walz or Klobuchar herself, depending on when she formally resigns her Senate seat.

While Klobuchar has suggested she could be the one to name her Senate successor after taking office as governor, Hamline University professor of political science and legal studies David Schultz told Newsweek on Thursday that she may instead leave the appointment to Walz while privately signaling her preferred candidate. Doing so could help avoid criticism that she was using her promotion to the governor's mansion to personally select her own replacement in the Senate.

Regardless of who makes the final appointment, several names have been floated as possible replacements. Newsweek reached out to Klobuchar’s campaign by email for comment on Thursday afternoon.

Klobuchar would likely consider candidates who share her ideology and have high chances of reelection, Schultz said.

“Klobuchar is going to have to find somebody who not only meets other criteria but … can that person win in 2027?” Schultz told Newsweek. “That’s a fast turn-around to get appointed in January then be ready to run a full-fledged Senate campaign."

Topping the list of potential Democratic candidates is U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison, of Minnesota's District 3. She won her reelection bid against Republican Tyler Bass with 64 percent of the vote to Bass’ 35.9 percent.

Schultz said he’s heard Morrison’s name mentioned as a potential replacement for Klobuchar.

“Rumor is that her and Klobuchar are very close, and that’s a name that’s been circulating off and on,” Schultz told Newsweek on Thursday, adding the political rumors can be far from reality.

Another possibility is Democrat Angie Craig, who lost the primary election to Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in the race for Minnesota’s open Senate seat. Flanagan won the nomination by 20 percentage points. Craig was a U.S. representative before she left her seat to run for Senate.

“Ideologically, she is much closer to Klobuchar and also has congressional experience,” Schultz told Newsweek.

Another name that has been floated is Democratic Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who just won his reelection campaign against Republican Tad Jude, with 54.7 percent of the vote to Jude’s 41.8 percent.

However, Schultz said he doubted that Klobuchar would choose a man as her replacement, as there are currently two women in the Senate from Minnesota—Klobuchar and Tina Smith, who is retiring at the end of her term. Flanagan won the election to fill Smith’s soon-to-be empty seat.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was also an early name in the mix. Schultz also said someone serving in the Minnesota state legislature might be selected, but he hasn’t heard of any specific names there.

Schultz said two Democrats he doesn’t expect to be considered as Klobuchar’s replacement are U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar and Walz.

“Klobuchar is a centrist, I don’t think she’s inclined, especially after Flanagan got elected, to pick someone out who’s identified as the more progressive or liberal wing of the party,” Schultz said, which would rule out Omar.

And, given Walz’s declined approval ratings, Schultz doubts he would be an option either.

Since Klobuchar last won her Senate election campaign in 2024, her six-year term ends at the end of 2030. The person selected to fill her Senate seat will serve on an interim basis until the next election, which will occur in November 2027.

Klobuchar will be sworn in as governor on January 4. The new Senate term starts January 3. Sometime before January 4, Klobuchar will have to resign from her Senate seat. If that resignation falls close to her swear-in date as governor, Klobuchar may be the one to select her own replacement.

If it’s earlier, Walz will make the selection, but Schultz said he expected the current governor will take Klobuchar’s preferences into consideration.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Edward T. Cummins