Who is running for governor of Minnesota in the Republican primary?
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There are seven pairs of candidates running in the Republican primary for Minnesota governor and lieutenant governor: Loner Blue and Andrew Maass, Lisa Demuth and Ryan Wilson, Raul J Estrada and Joe Kincaid, John Krhin and Dennis Conn, Mike Lindell and Phillip C Parrish, Ross Nova and Kerry Busby and Kendall Qualls and Brian Nicholson.
Loner Blue and Andrew Maass
This candidate declined to comment.
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Lisa Demuth and Ryan Wilson
Why are you running?
“I’m running for governor to end the fraud of our tax dollars and to restore fiscal sanity to our state. When Tim Walz and his Democrat allies had total control of our state government in 2023 and 2024, they raised our taxes by tens of billions of dollars, increased our state budget by nearly 40% and engaged in divisive, partisan overreach that has hurt our families and businesses. When I became House Speaker last year, I led the charge to stop fraud, stop tax increases and reduce our state budget by $5 billion. I’m ready to lead Minnesota’s Comeback.”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“I’m a mother of four, grandmother of seven, business owner, lifelong Minnesotan, and Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Before entering the legislature 7 years ago I served on my community’s school board for three terms. As House Speaker I led the charge to expose fraud of our tax dollars and stop the out-of-control tax and spending that Democrats pushed on Minnesotans when they had total control of government. I’m running for governor to save our state after 16 years of failed Democrat leadership in the executive branch. I am not a career politician, but I have the leadership skills and experience to fight for Minnesotans and return our state to a place where families can afford their lives.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“Minnesotans are sick of their tax dollars being wasted on bad policy and stolen by fraudsters. As governor I will fire those responsible for the fraud. I’ll cut taxes for working families and businesses, end social security taxes for our seniors, preserve girls’ sports and support public safety to make our streets safe again. I’ll put a stop to the divisive ideology that has taken root in too many classrooms, and focus on delivering a quality education for children. I will also ensure we finally pass voter ID to help protect the integrity of our elections. I’ll restore an economic environment across our state where people choose to stay to start and grow a family or a business.”
Raul J Estrada and Joe Kincaid
Why are you running?
“I chose to run because most of those stepping in were the same dusty old candidates that repeatedly run every election cycle as ‘serial candidates’ with no actual experience in fighting the states eminent threat of being overthrown by the far left 3rd world revolutionary immigrants instilled in our states government, literally trained to overthrow governments., as well as those currently holding offices failing to address issues like this, fraud, and the root causes stemming from a socialist agenda allowing it to happen, and only now addressing while campaigning as a platform for votes. Not a single Gubernatorial Candidate has any real history of taking a stance or fighting for Minnesotans. We cant afford another loss. I stepped in to fight.”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“40 year history of serving Minnesotans. Pushing back at city councils, school boards to defend citizens rights. Taking a stance against government over-reach into disadvantaged communities. successfully suing the city of Minneapolis. Lead organizer in the states efforts to regain control with rallies, protests, and opposition to bills and policies that negatively affect citizens, especially our children. Organized conservative Republican groups to defend and protect metro communities from the riots and destruction of the 2020 Floyd riots. Founder and Director of the American Indian Coalition of Minnesota providing services to metro communities throughout the state. Awarded ‘Hero’ citation by the city of Minneapolis for risking my life to rescue children. Personal engagement with communities understand their concerns, willing to fight.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“1. Every issue we have in our state from illegal immigration to fraud, riots to over population, Trans and gender identity, Ice actions, sexual materials in schools, all stem from 1 root cause. The Marxist, Socialist agenda to destabilize our states communities and economy, and introduce the socialist agenda as a viable alternative as an attractive option to the failing system being created. The need to educate Minnesotans on identifying these people already within our government, Dept of education, and law enforcement, and taking the measures to block socialism by creating a more attractive option of independence and prosperity using the programs already in place restructured. 2. Republican candidate with a foothold in metro voter bases, capable of securing votes.”
John Krhin and Dennis Conn
Why are you running?
“After the Charlie Kirk assassination, God led me to enter the race for governor. To restore our Republic and ensure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our progeny, we must reform government on the Chrisitan foundations laid by our Founders. Faith, Family, Freedom. I am running to lead a movement restore these foundations. We cannot deal with fraud, violence, disrespect for law and order, or well-educate our children without moral consensus. ‘Our constitution is fit only for a moral and religious people,’ said President John Adams.”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“I’ve served 50 years as a pastor. I’ve operated heavy equipment, driven school buses semi-trucks, done construction work, and operated two small businesses. I have built homes and churches. I own a 100-year-old business property in Hibbing that we’ve renovated. It houses a church, a café, and residential apartments. I counsel individuals who suffer in multiple ways. I provide personal compassion. In other words, I am a builder, a man of the people, touching lives up close and serving people. And I am a longtime student of our Declaration and Constitutions.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“First, leading a movement to restore the value of all human life, preborn, all races, creeds, ethnicity, and color. I will demand that the legislature let the voters decide on a constitutional amendment to protect preborn children will in the womb. Second, I will lead the effort to root out fraud committed against our state government, and by our state regarding the federal government. This requires complete transparency, and firing those responsible while encouraging the prosecution of those who refused to deal with it. Third, parents’ rights regarding the education of their children will be paramount in my education policy. I will expand school choice and ensure parents have authority over curriculum.”
Mike Lindell and Phillip C Parrish
As of publishing, this candidate has not responded. Based on Lindell’s campaign website, MPR News found these responses.
Why are you running?
According to Lindell's website: "Now, Mike Lindell is answering a new call to service. He is running for Governor of Minnesota to bring common sense back to our state capital. He is running to: Restore Safety: Supporting our police and ending the “revolving door” justice system. Rebuild the Economy: Using his business acumen to cut wasteful spending and lower taxes for families and small businesses. Protect the Vulnerable: tackling the fentanyl crisis and supporting addiction recovery programs."
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
According to Lindell's website: "In 2004, Mike had a literal dream about a pillow that would hold its shape. Everyone told him it was impossible. Investors laughed. Retailers shut the door in his face. But Mike possessed the grit of a true entrepreneur. He taught himself how to sew, how to manufacture, and eventually, how to market his invention to the world. MyPillow became a global phenomenon, selling over 50 million pillows. But the most important part of this success story is where it happened. While other CEOs shipped jobs to China and Mexico to save a few pennies, Mike kept his manufacturing right here in Minnesota."
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
According to the candidate's website, his goals cover 13 topics: "Jobs and Minnesota's Economy; Agriculture & Greater Minnesota; Environment, Climate Change, Homegrown Energy, and Natural Resources; Health Care and Medical Freedom; National Security and Secure Elections; Veterans, Servicemembers, and Their Families; Fraud and Abuse, Public Trust, and Rule of Law; Cut Fees and Taxes; Stop Rising Property Taxes; Education – Fixing Minnesota's Failing School System; Public Safety, Law Enforcement, and ICE Cooperation; Immigration; and Pro-Family & Pro-Life. "
Ross Nova and Kerry Busby
As of publishing, this candidate has not responded. Based on Nova’s campaign website, MPR News found these responses.
Why are you running?
According to Nova's website: "My vision for Minnesota is simple: bring real change that unifies people instead of dividing them. For too long, politics has pushed Minnesotans into separate corners, Democrat versus Republican and group versus group. Minnesota belongs to its people, not to government insiders or decisions made behind closed doors. Rebuilding trust in government starts with transparency and accountability. That is why I propose creating MN Tax Tracker, a simple public platform where citizens can see how taxpayer money is being spent across state government. The system would also include a Real-Time Bill Tracker that allows Minnesotans to follow legislation as it moves through the legislature and see exactly what changes are made and when."
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
Nova's goals according to his website: "My proposed bills reflect the kind of Governor I intend to be: focused on restoring trust, order, and accountability in Minnesota government while staying grounded in the concerns of everyday working people. Across my legislation, the same priorities show up again and again: transparent government, safer communities, stronger parental rights, lower tax burdens, and a culture that respects work, family, and personal responsibility."
Kendall Qualls and Brian Nicholson
As of publishing, this candidate has not responded. Based on Qualls’ campaign website, MPR News found these responses.
Why are you running?
According to Quall's website: "I am running to rescue Minnesota from becoming a failed one-party state and to restore it for the next generation of Minnesotans. Are you tired of seeing Minnesota in the national news for all the wrong reasons—fraud, riots, and scandal? Have you considered leaving Minnesota, like so many of our friends already have, because they’ve lost faith in the Republican Party’s ability to turn this state around? For 20 years, we’ve repeated the same failed strategy: nominating candidates for governor drawn from the same pool—the Minnesota state legislature. The results speak for themselves. That’s why I’m running. Minnesota doesn’t need another career politician from St. Paul."
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
According to the candidate's website: "From poverty to prosperity, literally from the projects of Harlem and a trailer park in Oklahoma to become Vice President of a Fortune 100 company. Served our country as an Artillery officer in the Army, stateside and South Korea. My wife, Sheila and I have been married for nearly 40 years, raised our kids in the Christian faith to be productive citizens and serve others less fortunate. I’m not an exceptional person. I live in an exceptional country and I serve an exceptional God."
