Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing his lowest approval rating since taking office, according to a new poll, as the state continues to deal with political fallout from a major fraud scandal.
The Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy survey, conducted for KARE 11, the Minnesota Star Tribune and the University of Minnesotaโs Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, found that 39% of likely Minnesota voters approve of Walzโs job performance. Another 53% disapprove, while 8% said they were unsure.
The poll surveyed 800 registered Minnesota voters likely to participate in the November general election through live telephone interviews from June 8 to June 10, 2026. According to the report, the numbers mark Walzโs lowest approval rating since he became governor six years ago.
The drop comes as Walz, who has announced he will not seek re-election and is expected to leave office in January, faces continued criticism over fraud that occurred under his administration. The issue has become a major political liability, with Republicans arguing that state oversight failed and Democrats trying to limit the damage.
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On the fraud issue, 45% of voters said they trust Republicans more to address the problem, compared with 38% who said they trust Democrats. Another 14% said they trust neither party.
The same polling group found President Donald Trumpโs approval rating in Minnesota at 41%, slightly higher than Walzโs. Conservatives quickly highlighted the comparison online, arguing that the fraud scandal has weakened Democrats in a state that has traditionally leaned blue in presidential politics.
The Trump administration has taken a major interest in Minnesota over the past year, sending a federal fraud task force into the state. That effort has led to raids, arrests and further investigations into how fraud schemes were allegedly able to grow so quickly.
The poll also showed voter frustration over Minnesotaโs redesigned state flag, which Walz supported. Half of voters said they disapproved of the new flag. Critics say the design is too simple, while some conservatives have claimed it resembles Somaliaโs national flag. Supporters of the redesign have argued that it removed outdated imagery and gave the state a cleaner modern symbol.
Republican lawmakers are using both issues โ the fraud scandal and the flag โ to argue that Walzโs administration has lost touch with voters. Some have accused him of focusing on progressive priorities while failing to prevent fraud and mismanagement.
Walzโs support has also become heavily divided by party. According to the poll, only 1% of Republicans approve of his performance, compared with 73% of Democrats and 32% of independents. That independent number may be especially concerning for Democrats ahead of the next election.
The governorโs critics say the new polling reflects broader frustration with his leadership. Supporters may argue that fraud investigations are ongoing and that Republicans are using the issue for political advantage.
Still, the numbers show that Walz is leaving office under pressure. A 10-point drop from last year suggests that the fraud scandal has become more than a temporary controversy.
For Minnesota Democrats, the challenge now is whether they can separate their future candidates from the problems facing Walzโs administration. For Republicans, the poll gives them a clear campaign message heading into the next statewide election.
Why It Matters
The poll matters because it shows how deeply the fraud scandal has damaged Walzโs standing in Minnesota. A governor leaving office with low approval can create problems for his party, especially when voters say they trust the opposition more on a major issue.
It also matters nationally because Walz has been a prominent Democratic figure, and Minnesota is now becoming a political battleground over fraud, immigration, government oversight and cultural issues like the state flag.
What Comes Next
Republicans are likely to keep focusing on fraud investigations and the state flag as they campaign against Minnesota Democrats.
Democrats will need to show voters that they have a plan to strengthen oversight, prevent future fraud and move beyond the controversies surrounding Walzโs final months in office.
A TV segment discussed whistleblower claims and oversight questions tied to Minnesotaโs fraud scandal.
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โ๐๐ฉ, ๐ช๐ต ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐บ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ฎ๐ช๐ฅ๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ. ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ญ๐ช๐ท๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ง๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ ๐ฐ๐งโฆ pic.twitter.com/Tjo0C64RTb
โ M.A. Rothman (@MichaelARothman) June 16, 2026
