Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for governor on Tuesday, defeating Mike Lindell, the MyPillow founder endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and setting up a general election matchup against Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Klobuchar, who secured the Democratic nomination earlier in the evening, will face Demuth in the November 3 general election. Incumbent Gov. Tim Walz announced in January that he would not seek a third term amid scrutiny over state fraud scandals.
Demuth’s victory over Lindell marks a significant shift in the Republican primary, where Lindell had led in pre-election polls. Demuth, the first Black woman to serve as Minnesota House Speaker, campaigned on reducing income tax rates, eliminating state taxes on Social Security benefits, and establishing an independent inspector general to investigate fraud. She has also emphasized public safety investments.
Lindell, a prominent Trump ally who faced legal challenges related to his promotion of debunked 2020 election claims, had been endorsed by the former president. His campaign focused on issues such as a six-month moratorium on deportations for certain immigrants in the U.S. illegally.
Klobuchar’s Democratic primary win was decisive, with her receiving approximately 89% of the vote. She has framed her campaign around addressing fraud in state programs, a central issue in Minnesota politics following reports of billions in potential fraud losses. Klobuchar has pledged a “top-to-bottom audit” of state agencies if elected governor.
Fraud and political fallout
The fraud issue has dominated Minnesota’s gubernatorial race. Republicans, including Demuth, have criticized outgoing Gov. Walz’s administration for failing to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds. Walz proposed an anti-fraud package in February, but Klobuchar has sought to distance herself from his handling of the issue.
Demuth has argued that her legislative experience and bipartisan approach make her the stronger candidate to defeat Klobuchar in November. She has pointed to her role in establishing the Fraud Prevention Agency Oversight Committee while leading the state House.
General election outlook
Minnesota has not elected a Republican governor since Tim Pawlenty in 2006, and Republicans have lost 28 consecutive statewide elections. Demuth’s campaign emphasizes her ability to work across party lines, while Klobuchar highlights her Senate record and focus on government accountability.
If Klobuchar wins the general election, she would need to resign her Senate seat, triggering a gubernatorial appointment and a special election to fill the vacancy.