Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for governor, setting up a general election battle with Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar. Demuth aims to be Minnesota’s first female governor, focusing on public safety, tax policy, and government accountability. Despite not getting an earlier GOP endorsement, she secured the nomination over other contenders, including Mike Lindell, a Trump ally known for promoting false claims about the 2020 election.
Demuth’s victory marks another setback for President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Lindell. Lindell’s campaign faced difficulties including residency questions and other controversies. Despite these, Lindell received Trump’s public support, highlighting his dedication to election integrity issues.
Demuth’s political career began eight years ago in the State House, where she served as the first Black lawmaker and Republican woman speaker. If elected, she would end a Democratic hold on the governor’s office that has lasted since Tim Pawlenty’s term ended in 2011.
Electoral forecasts favor Klobuchar, with analysts rating the race as likely safe for Democrats.
The general election in Minnesota is part of 36 gubernatorial elections nationwide this year. Democratic Governor Tim Walz’s decision not to seek a third term after announcing his 2024 vice-presidential run made it an open race. Klobuchar quickly became the favorite for her party after nearly two decades in the Senate, securing the Democratic nomination with strong support.
During the Republican primary, Demuth overtook other candidates, including Lindell, despite Lindell’s higher national name recognition. Prediction markets showed fluctuating odds which favored Demuth in the end. As of Tuesday, the race is considered less competitive for Republicans.
Polls indicate Klobuchar has a significant lead over Republican candidates in the general election. A Mason-Dixon poll from June showed Klobuchar leading Demuth by 8 points. The poll included responses from 800 likely voters and indicates Klobuchar’s wider leads against other Republican candidates like Qualls and Lindell. An Emerson College poll earlier this year echoed these results, showing Klobuchar ahead by double digits against Lindell and Demuth.
The political climate in Minnesota has shifted due to ongoing debates about immigration and fraud allegations involving the Feeding Our Future nonprofit. Republicans have criticized Walz’s administration for not adequately addressing a significant fraud scandal related to a child nutrition program. Significant taxpayer dollars are alleged to have been lost to fraudulent claims, pushing immigration debate to the forefront of the governor race.
The Trump administration intensified immigration operations in Minnesota, deploying Border Patrol agents and targeting immigrant communities. This resulted in controversy and protests after two American citizens were shot by immigration officers during these operations.
Key upcoming dates in the Minnesota governor’s race include:
- Early voting: September 18
- Voter registration deadline: October 13
- General Election: November 3