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

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Minnesota Republicans endorsed former health executive Kendall Qualls for governor, overcoming a glitchy daylong convention plagued by problematic vote clickers that left some rivals doubting the process.

Saturday’s nod makes Qualls the first black candidate to win a major party endorsement for governor in Minnesota. He won on a 10th ballot, surpassing the 60 percent threshold in a head-to-head showdown over lone remaining opponent, House Speaker Lisa Demuth.

The field had been narrowed from a starting crop of six. 

Qualls will still have to overcome some in an August primary, with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell pledging to move forward and spend a lot of money to try to wrest the endorsement.

Demuth also raised questions about the integrity of the electronic voting technology after “inconsistencies” were tracked earlier in the day, suggesting she could move to a primary, as well.

Democrats are almost certain to nominate their endorsed candidate, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. She won the DFL nod early Saturday on that convention’s first ballot.

Election 2026 

Minnesota political conventions 2026: DFL, GOP pick candidates

Dana Ferguson

Author

Businessman Kendall Qualls locked in the GOP endorsement for governor after a grueling battle with House Speaker Lisa Demuth and others.

Qualls secures GOP endorsement for governor in 10-ballot marathon plagued by glitches

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