Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (DFL) signaling he will indeed run for a third term.
"We have got to do something to make our streets safer, our schools safer, and do some common sense things," said Walz on Wednesday afternoon. "And so I think that's a big driving piece."
Pressed by reporters, the governor leaned in harder.
"I think that's a safe assumption," he answered.
If Walz does indeed run for a third consecutive term, it would be a first in Minnesota. No other governor has served three straight terms, or run for three straight terms. Former Governor Rudy Perpich did end up serving in office over three terms but those were non-consecutive.
"It's a privilege of a lifetime to serve as the Governor of Minnesota," Walz added. "I said there's no guarantee that this is your spot to have, but I would also say, I am very proud of the work we've done. Again, when I hear things like childcare where we talk about the uncertainty in the federal government, I think that steels me. That this is one of those things I don't think you switch horses midstream."
According to KSTP-TV's and WCCO Radio host Tom Hauser, Walz will make a formal announcement next week.
Hauser added that it appears Walz changed his mind between the assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and last month's mass shooting at Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis.
"The annunciation school shooting happened, and I think he is resolving himself to do something about the gun issue and violence in Minnesota. And so I think that has swung the pendulum the other way," Hauser explained.
Special Session still undetermined
Walz also mentioned that he's not sure when he'll call a special session to consider a ban on assault-style weapons in the wake of last month's deadly mass shooting at Annunciation Church.
The governor says Republicans have, "point blank said there will not be a vote on an assault weapons ban."
Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth was noncommittal when asked about that following a meeting of legislative leaders at the Capitol Tuesday. Demuth says there needs to be a lot of vetting of the language that comes forward and whether that actually solves some of the problems they're looking at.
"The common denominator among school shootings is firearms, and we are going to do something about that," says Walz. "As far as how we get there, I've said this. I, by the Constitution, can call the special session, but it's going to be the legislative leaders that have to run it. And I saw in one of your publications today, the Republicans just point blank said there will not be a vote on an assault weapon ban."
Demuth said it is not clear whether that sort of ban would actually solve some of the problems they're looking at, and has pushed for mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes as part of any special session.