A Major Republican Enters Minnesota’s 2026 Governor’s Race
Minnesota’s 2026 gubernatorial contest just gained a formidable new contender. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, the highest-ranking Republican in the state, announced she is seeking the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Governor Tim Walz, who is attempting to secure an unprecedented third four-year term.
Her entrance instantly reshapes the race. If elected, Demuth would become the first woman to serve as Minnesota’s governor and the first Republican to win a statewide office in nearly 20 years — a significant political milestone in a state long dominated by Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) control.
Demuth joins a crowded primary field already populated by well-known Republican figures, each hoping to unseat a governor with strong name recognition, national visibility, and an established fundraising machine.
A Growing Republican Field with High Stakes
The GOP primary now includes:
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Dr. Scott Jensen, the 2022 Republican nominee, who lost to Walz by eight points
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Kendall Qualls, businessman, Army veteran, and former congressional candidate
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Rep. Kristin Robbins, head of the legislature’s GOP-led anti-fraud committee
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Lisa Demuth, House Speaker and newly announced candidate
Each candidate offers a different approach: Jensen brings name recognition, Qualls emphasizes outsider status, Robbins focuses on government accountability, and Demuth positions herself as the pragmatic leader who already knows how to negotiate with Walz.
Demuth formally announced her campaign during a Sunday rollout, but she had been signaling interest for weeks. Speaking with WCCO shortly before her public launch, she described a vision centered on economic opportunity and restoring faith in state governance.
“I believe that we’ll be able to build a better and a stronger Minnesota here together,” she said. “Businesses need to be able to succeed in what they’re doing and grow here in our state. Families should be able to thrive. Our kids deserve an excellent education, and all Minnesotans need the chance to succeed.”
Her message appeared crafted to appeal to suburban moderates while also energizing the state’s large conservative base.
Facing a Popular Governor with a National Profile
Beating Tim Walz will not be easy. The governor has significant structural advantages:
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Two-term incumbent with high name recognition
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National prominence from his time as a vice-presidential nominee
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Strong ties to Democratic donors and national groups
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Victories in a state that has not elected a Republican statewide since 2006
Still, recent political shifts have given Republicans some hope. The 2024 election resulted in a 67-67 tie in the Minnesota House — the first even split in decades — indicating signs of voter frustration and a more competitive environment.
In a hypothetical rematch released in September by SurveyUSA, Walz led Jensen by only six points, with 13 percent of voters undecided. While not a direct measure of Demuth’s prospects, it reinforced the idea that the right challenger could narrow the gap.
Demuth Positions Herself as the Most Tested Negotiator
Unlike Jensen or Qualls, Demuth argues she has direct experience working with Governor Walz under some of the state’s most contentious political circumstances. As Speaker of the House, she has negotiated budgets, public safety legislation, emergency funding bills, and education priorities in a sharply divided legislature.
“I know I’m the strongest candidate to take on Gov. Walz by my track record as Speaker,” she said. “I’ve been the only Republican candidate who has sat across the table from Gov. Walz and negotiated in really trying times.”
She framed her candidacy around civility and bipartisanship — while simultaneously delivering one of the sharpest criticisms of Walz in the race thus far. According to Demuth, Minnesota needs a governor who “removes the negative rhetoric,” but also someone willing to call out failures she attributes to Walz’s leadership.
“I have respect for the office that Gov. Walz serves in,” she said, “but I’m the best one to run for governor because I’m willing to get rid of the negativity and I’ve proven that I can work across the aisle. Minnesotans are ready for that.”
A Hard-Hitting Campaign Launch Aimed Directly at Walz
Although Demuth emphasizes bipartisan cooperation, her official campaign announcement took a far more aggressive tone. In a polished video release, she accused Walz of inflaming divisions across Minnesota and showing “hatred” toward supporters of former President Donald Trump.
“Enough,” she said in the ad. “I’ve had enough of the hate and enough of the lies. Enough of Tim Walz dividing Minnesotans to cover up his failures. Let’s be real — Tim Walz doesn’t just disagree with us. He hates us. He’s more focused on attacking President Trump than on fixing Minnesota.”
She then drew a sharp contrast between the Minnesota she remembers from her childhood and the state she argues exists today under Walz’s leadership.
“He blew the surplus, raised taxes, let fraud run wild. He attacked ICE and gave free health care to illegal immigrants. That’s not leadership — that’s betrayal.”
The message signals Demuth intends to run as a unifier for Republicans but a direct challenger to the governor’s policies.
Trump Endorsement: A High-Risk, High-Reward Strategy
In a surprising strategic move for a candidate in a blue-leaning state, Demuth openly stated she plans to seek Donald Trump’s endorsement.
“I think President Trump has done a great job delivering on the promises he made when he was campaigning for his second term,” she said. “It is important to have that endorsement, so I will definitely be seeking it.”
This marks a departure from previous Minnesota Republicans who attempted to distance themselves from Trump during statewide races. Demuth’s gamble reflects the political reality that Minnesota’s GOP base remains overwhelmingly aligned with the former president — and that a primary challenger without his support would face a major disadvantage.
Still, general election voters may react differently, especially in the Twin Cities suburbs, which remain a crucial battleground.
The Road Ahead: A Defining Race for Both Parties
The upcoming primary and general election will test several dynamics:
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Whether Republicans can unify behind a single candidate
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Whether Walz can maintain his statewide strength after nearly a decade in office
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Whether Minnesota voters are open to breaking two decades of Democratic statewide dominance
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Whether Demuth’s message of cooperation paired with sharp criticism resonates
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Whether Trump’s endorsement helps or hurts in a purple-but-bluish state
With no polling yet on Demuth specifically, it remains unclear where she stands among GOP voters. But as Speaker of the House, she enters the race as one of the most recognizable and influential Republican officials in Minnesota.
And with Walz seeking a historic third term, national attention will almost certainly follow.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
