Loner Blue, Lisa Demuth, Raul Estrada, John Krhin, Mike Lindell, Ross Nova, and Kendall Qualls are running in the Republican primary for governor of Minnesota on Aug. 11. Demuth, Lindell, and Qualls lead in endorsements and media attention. Incumbent Tim Walz (D) is not running for re-election.
A welfare fraud investigation, Republican convention election voting irregularities, and electability are central themes in the primary.
According to The New York Times, "Scores of people in Minnesota have been accused of stealing up to hundreds of millions of dollars from state programs meant to help the poor and vulnerable." Republicans, including Demuth, Lindell, and Qualls, claim the state's Democratic leadership enabled the welfare fraud. All three are campaigning against fraud while saying they are the candidate best positioned to win election in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican governor since 2006, U.S. senator since 2002, and U.S. president since 1972.
Both Lindell and Qualls position themselves as political outsiders and claim Demuth, the state's House speaker, is too willing to work with Democrats and has failed to decrease government spending and welfare fraud. Lindell says he is the only candidate with a national network and that the Minnesota Republican Convention is a "complete establishment, deep-state swamp. We’ve been losing for 24 years because of this." Qualls says, "I believe after 20 years of trying to win statewide elections in the Republican Party with politician after politician, with insider after insider, I believe that you have permission as a voter and a delegate to consider an alternative."
Minnesota Reformer's Alyssa Chen writes, "Demuth walked the line between being experienced enough to hit the ground running 'on Day 1' as governor, but not experienced enough to be a 'career politician' like Klobuchar." Demuth has highlighted both her time as a member in and leader of the state’s lower chamber. Demuth says, "No other Republican candidate for governor has any experience in the Legislature and leading the state."
On May 30, that state's Republican Party endorsed Qualls for governor after 10 rounds of voting at the Minnesota Republican Convention. Heading into the convention, Demuth said she would respect the endorsement and end her campaign if not endorsed; Lindell had not made the same pledge. Following allegations of voting irregularities in the fifth round of voting, Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash later said, "I believe it is appropriate to make clear that any gubernatorial candidate who agreed to abide by the endorsement, should not be treated as bound by that pledge. Those candidates may make their own decision about whether to continue their campaign into the primary. Only our endorsed candidate for Governor, Kendall Qualls, will receive the full support, resources, and organizational backing of the state party." Demuth cited this decision when declaring she would still run in the primary.
Demuth was elected to District 13A of the Minnesota House of Representatives in November 2018 and to the House speakership in February 2025. Ryan Wilson (R) is Demuth's running mate. Demuth says, "[Minnesotans] want a governor who will end the culture of fraud and oppressively high taxes and who will make Minnesota affordable again. The Demuth-Wilson ticket is the only Republican ticket with proven conservative leadership, a grassroots network and the resources it will take to defeat Amy Klobuchar in November."
Lindell is the founder and CEO of MyPillow. Phillip Parrish (R) is Lindell's running mate. Lindell's website says he is running to "Restore Safety: Supporting our police and ending the 'revolving door' justice system. Rebuild the Economy: Using his business acumen to cut wasteful spending and lower taxes for families and small businesses. Protect the Vulnerable: tackling the fentanyl crisis and supporting addiction recovery programs."
Qualls is the founder and president of TakeCharge, an organization whose self-stated mission is to "[support] the notion that the promise of America is available to everyone regardless of race or social station." Brian Nicholson (R) is Qualls' running mate. Qualls says, "If we are going to fix the budget Democrats destroyed, we need a proven leader who understands how to build, manage, and grow. If we are going to take back our streets and restore excellence in our classrooms, we need a candidate with a conservative backbone and a commitment to law and order."
According to Smart Politics, this is the highest number of candidates to ever run in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Axios' Torey Van Oot writes, "Some are concerned that a messy and prolonged primary among so many candidates could complicate their chances — especially if it results in a more conservative candidate who is seen as less viable in the general election winning the nomination." As of June 6, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the office Solid and Safe Democratic, respectively. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated it Likely Democratic.
