Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, announced her candidacy on Monday for the Republican gubernatorial nomination to challenge Gov. Tim Walz in 2026. “Minnesota is worth fighting for — that’s why I’m announcing today that I’m running for Governor,” Demuth wrote on X.
Demuth has become the leading figure in the Republican primary, which also includes Rep. Kristin Robbins, former state senator Scott Jensen, and former MMA fighter Brad Kohler, among others. Another potential candidate, Mypillow CEO Mike Lindell, recently reestablished his Minnesota residency as he considers a gubernatorial bid.
Current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced his reelection campaign in mid-September. “Minnesota faces a critical juncture and urgently requires fresh leadership following two terms under Tim Walz. As House Speaker, I stand as the only candidate in this field who has directly opposed Tim Walz, and I’m confident in my ability to unite the Republican Party and secure victory in 2026,” Demuth stated in a press release.
Demuth, who served on the ROCORI School Board and runs a small business, highlighted her legislative experience. In her campaign announcement, she criticized Walz’s policies, vowing to combat wasteful spending, eliminate fraud, and address what she called “Democrat giveaways for illegal immigrants.” She also emphasized improving school test scores, reducing classroom “divisive ideology,” and prioritizing infrastructure like roads over rail projects.
Demuth pledged to streamline regulations to boost housing development and attract businesses, mining operations, and manufacturing jobs. “By any standard, Tim Walz has let Minnesota down,” she said. “During his tenure, fraud has proliferated throughout state programs. Violent crime has risen. Half of Minnesota’s students cannot read at grade level. Walz increased taxes by billions and mismanaged a historic budget surplus. We need a change in direction, and I’ll provide it next November.”
