Rep. Walz wins DFL primary for Minnesota governor

(KMSP) - Congressman Tim Walz is the projected winner in the DFL primary race for governor, beating out Attorney General Lori Swanson and Representative Erin Murphy.

Walz vacated his seat in the First Congressional District to run for governor. Running as his lieutenant governor is State Representative Peggy Flanagan. Walz, a military veteran, was first elected to Congress in 2006. 

Murphy, the former Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was the DFL-endorsed candidate.

In the final days leading up to the primary, Swanson faced allegations that she misused employees in her office to help with her political work.

Walz released the following statement:

“I am humbled to be the DFL candidate for governor. Our campaign was founded on the belief that there is more that unites us than divides us. Thank you to everyone who has joined our team over the past year.

“We believe in a state where we can come together around our shared values to address our diverse needs. We believe when the Twin Cities thrive, Greater Minnesota thrives—and when Greater Minnesota thrives, the Twin Cities thrive.

“We believe in One Minnesota.  And tonight’s victory shows that hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans do too.”