BOISE, ID – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Frank & Bethine Church Gala on March 7 at the Boise Centre.
The event will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Mountain Time. Idaho Democratic Party officials said tickets are currently sold out, though additional tickets may be released.
Walz ended his campaign for a third term as Minnesota governor in early January, citing mounting pressure from members of his own party and criticism from Republicans over allegations of widespread fraud in state-run social services programs.
In a statement announcing his decision, Walz defended his record and said he believed he could win a third term but chose to step aside to focus on addressing the allegations.
“I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work,” Walz said.
Some Democratic-Farmer-Labor elected officials in Minnesota had expressed concerns that Walz remaining at the top of the ticket could jeopardize the party’s hold on the governorship and affect down-ballot races.
Meanwhile, the U.S. House Oversight Committee has called on Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to testify regarding alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs. Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are scheduled to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on March 4
Fraud allegations first surfaced in November with reports that millions of taxpayer dollars were stolen from Minnesota’s welfare system. Additional claims emerged atter a video was posted by independent journalist Nick Shirley alleging $110 million in fraud at Minnesota child care centers.
