Politics Friday: A Minnesota lawmaker with focus on fraud tries to weave through GOP governor field
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Minnesota Republicans feel good about their chances in 2026.
They’ve got lots of opportunities to break through on the statewide map — with several key offices on the line. None is more tantalizing than the governor’s office. DFL Gov. Tim Walz is after a third term, and Republicans are out to convince voters he’s worn out his welcome.
One of the candidates working to make that case is GOP state Rep. Kristin Robbins, who has made fraud a campaign focus from her position as chair of the House Committee on Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight.
Rep. Robbins talks with MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst about why she’s running and how she’ll navigate a field of GOP hopefuls.
Later, we’ll get an update on the impending closure of the Stillwater prison from Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell. His department is under orders to shutter the facility by 2029.
Guests:
Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, is pursuing the Republican endorsement for Minnesota’s 2026 governor’s race.
Paul Schnell is the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. He has served since Jan. 7, 2019, and was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz.
Cait Kelley reports for APM Reports, the investigative and documentary unit of American Public Media.
Caroline Cummings covers politics, public policy and government for WCCO.
Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.
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