GOP sees Minnesota Senate seat in play after Walz quits re-election amid massive fraud scandal
Already a top target for the GOP, Republicans are increasingly optimistic they can flip the Democrat-controlled open Senate seat in Minnesota, in the wake of this week's stunning move by...
By Fox News · Fox News
Already a top target for the GOP, Republicans are increasingly optimistic they can flip the Democrat-controlled open Senate seat in Minnesota, in the wake of this week's stunning move by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to drop his re-election bid amid the state's sweeping fraud scandal. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) for months has been eyeing the seat, held by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, as the GOP works to not only defend but expand their current 53-47 majority in the Senate in this year's midterm elections. This week, they landed more political ammunition, after Walz, the Democratic Party's 2024 vice presidential nominee, ended his campaign for an unprecedented third term amid stinging criticism from Republicans and some Democrats over his handling of Minnesota's massive welfare assistance fraud scandal. "The systematic fraud overseen by Tim Walz and Minnesota Democrats has put the state’s open Senate seat squarely in play and provides yet another opportunity for Senate Republicans to expand their majority," argued Chris Gustafson, communications director for the Senate Leadership Fund, the top outside group backing Republicans in Senate elections. WALZ REFUSES TO QUIT AFTER DROPPING RE-ELECTION BID AMID MINNESOTA FRAUD FIRESTORM: 'OVER MY DEAD BODY' More than 90 people — most from Minnesota's large Somali community — have been charged since 2022 in what has been described as the nation's largest COVID-era scheme. How much money has been stolen through alleged money laundering operations involving fraudulent meal and housing programs, daycare centers and Medicaid services is still being tabulated. Prosecutors say the fraud in Minnesota could total as much as $9 billion. Some of the dozens that have already pleaded guilty in the case used the money to buy luxury cars, real estate, jewelry and international vacations, according to prosecutors, with some of the funds also sent overseas and potentially into the hands of Islamic terrorists. And…