Brian Baxt

Minnesota's top office was put up for grabs this month when Democratic Governor Tim Walz abruptly ended his reelection campaign.

He met with Senator Amy Klobuchar ahead of that announcement, which some saw as a nod to a possible successor.

Now, Klobuchar has filed the paperwork needed to build out and raise money to campaign for governor.

A formal entry is expected soon.

She does not have to give up her Senate seat while running for governor.

No other prominent Democrats in the state have gotten into the race out of deference to Klobuchar, whose four Senate wins have come with big electoral margins.

More than a dozen Republicans are seeking the office, but Democrats have won every statewide race in Minnesota since 2008.

For NPR News, I'm Brian Baxt in St.

Paul.