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

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Businessman Kendall Qualls took the lead in the contest for the Republican Party endorsement for governor Saturday on the fifth ballot.

Qualls and House Speaker Lisa Demuth were the two candidates on the ballot and were set to move forward to a sixth ballot. Qualls garnered 49.9 percent of the vote on the ballot while Demuth picked up 46 percent. The remainder voted no endorsement or no preference.

The threshold to clinch the endorsement is 60 percent of the vote.

No matter who emerges as the winner, the contest is likely not over as other candidates have said they’ll move to an August primary.

Election 2026 

Minnesota political conventions 2026: Live updates as DFL, GOP pick candidates

Dana Ferguson

Author

Kendall Qualls moved past Lisa Demuth in the two-person contest for the GOP’s endorsement for governor on a fifth ballot. A sixth ballot is up next.

Qualls takes the lead on fifth ballot at GOP convention

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