Fighting fraud core issue for GOP gubernatorial candidate Kristin Robbins – Twin Cities

As the details of large-scale instances of government fraud continue to emerge in Minnesota, Republican candidate for governor Kristin Robbins has made combating the problem central to her campaign.

A state representative from Maple Grove, Robbins is the latest Republican candidate in a growing field of challengers to Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Tim Walz to highlight the theft of taxpayer dollars by nonprofits — something acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson says likely totals at least $1 billion in recent years.

In September, federal prosecutors announced multiple charges in two separate instances of alleged Medicaid fraud: one in a state housing stabilization program and the other a children’s autism program.

Thompson has said more cases are likely to emerge, meaning fraud will continue to loom over the 2026 election. He said in September the state is “drowning in fraud” and that the state’s system of “trust but verify” no longer works.

Robbins, a fourth-term lawmaker who chairs the Republican-created House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, blames state agencies under Walz’s leadership for allowing “criminals to rob us blind” and wants to create a culture of “no fraud, no excuses” in Minnesota government. She said agencies worry more about distributing benefits than making sure taxpayer money is spent responsibly.

“The goal was to shovel out as much money as possible, and that was the measure of success,” said Robbins, who has led a series of hearings this year questioning state agency leaders and others on government fraud. “I think it’s really a culture problem.”

How to respond

Fraud figures to become a major issue in next year’s election as Walz seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term as governor. Massive schemes, such those tied to the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, where fraudsters stole over $250 million in pandemic-era school meal aid, are just one chunk of the theft, according to federal prosecutors. Thompson has said the recent work on Medicaid fraud grew out of the Feeding Our Future investigation.

Walz has said he has taken action to address fraud. On Sept. 16, days before the housing-related charges were announced, he issued an executive order directing agencies to “intensify” fraud detection efforts. Earlier this year he created a new anti-fraud division in the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Walz also has pointed to large-scale federal prosecutions as a sign that people are being held accountable for the theft. So far, more than 50 of the 75 defendants connected to Feeding Our Future have been convicted.

After Walz issued the September executive order on fraud detection efforts, the Minnesota DFL described his approach as taking “real steps” and accused Robbins of using the House fraud committee as a “campaign stage.”

“Kristin Robbins has focused on propelling herself into the spotlight instead of her work as Fraud and Oversight Committee chair where she’s passed 0 bills and found 0 cases of fraud,” DFL Chair Richard Carlbom said in a statement at the time. “We wish her the best of luck as she continues with this unique approach to campaigning on the taxpayers’ dime.”

Inspector General proposal

If elected next year, Robbins said she would do more than Walz has done to hold agencies and fraudsters accountable. That would include establishing an Office of Inspector General with oversight and investigative powers over all agencies, requiring a full financial audit and performance review of vulnerable state programs.

A bill to create a statewide office of inspector general had bipartisan support in the 2025 legislative session. It passed in the DFL-majority Minnesota Senate 60-7 but failed in the tied House, where DFLers had limited interest.

Walz questioned whether a statewide office would be the most efficient way to combat fraud, and it was unclear if he would back the new office.

Robbins said she’d also direct agencies to require “basic oversight practices,” such as “verifying eligibility, requiring documentation instead of attestation, hiring forensic accountants, unannounced site visits, and measuring outcomes.”

State agencies haven’t said whether they’ve fired anyone in connection to large-scale fraud in programs. On Sept. 17, however, one day before the announcement of federal charges in the housing stabilization fraud case, it emerged that the Department of Human Services’ Assistant Commissioner of Homelessness and Housing Supports, Eric Grumdahl, no longer worked for the agency.

News of his departure emerged as he was scheduled to testify before the Republican-led House fraud prevention committee. Robbins accused the Walz administration of “dodging accountability.”

Robbins said that as governor she would appoint new commissioners for state agencies, as would be expected from a new governor from a different political party.

Four in the race

Robbins is one of three prominent Republicans to announce plans to run for governor in 2026.

Kendall Qualls, a former congressional candidate and 2022 contender for the GOP gubernatorial endorsement, declared his intent in May.

Scott Jensen is back in the race after losing to Walz in 2022. He unveiled an anti-fraud agenda earlier this month.

Walz is the only DFLer who said he plans to run next year.

No Republican has won statewide office in Minnesota since 2006.