Live: DFLers and Republicans are endorsing candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and other statewide races

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House Speaker Lisa Demuth came out ahead in a first round of balloting in the race for the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for governor.

Businessman Kendall Qualls and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell rounded out the top three in the six-person field. A candidate needs to hit 60 percent of votes cast to win the endorsement. Additional votes are expected Saturday afternoon.

The bottom two candidates – John Krhin and Phillip Parrish – will be dropped heading into the second ballot. Demuth, Qualls and Lindell will advance, along with Patrick Knight.

The endorsement likely won’t end the race on the Republican side. Several candidates have said they’ll move on to an August primary contest.

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Demuth topped the first round of GOP voting in the endorsing contest for governor, with Qualls and Lindell rounding out the top three.

Lisa Demuth leads on first ballot in GOP governor endorsement race

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