Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel launches GOP governor bid with anti-fraud focus; endorsed by Minneapolis Police Federation
Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel formally launched a Republican campaign for Minnesota governor Monday with a one-hour speech and PowerPoint centered on combating fraud in programs like Feeding Our Future, Housing Stabilization Services and autism services, pledging a tough-on-crime approach and touting an endorsement from the Minneapolis Police Federation. He blamed state leaders across parties — “This is our money… the Minnesota government is to blame” — addressed past donations to Democrats (including Gov. Tim Walz and the Harris–Walz ticket) without apologizing, highlighted his defense of State Trooper Ryan Londregan (whose charges were dropped), and joins a crowded GOP field.
📌 Key Facts
- Madel formally launched his GOP gubernatorial campaign Monday in Minneapolis with a roughly one-hour speech and PowerPoint presentation focused on combating fraud, citing examples including Feeding Our Future, Housing Stabilization Services and autism programs.
- He framed his campaign as tough-on-crime and anti-fraud enforcement and touted an endorsement from the Minneapolis Police Federation.
- Madel blamed Minnesota government leaders across parties for failing to stop fraud, saying, “This is our money… the Minnesota government is to blame.”
- He addressed past donations to Democrats — including Gov. Tim Walz and the 2024 Harris–Walz ticket — declined to apologize, and characterized those contributions as bipartisan, business-related decisions.
- Republican Rep. Kristin Robbins responded to the launch by highlighting Madel’s history of DFL/ Democratic donations.
- Madel’s background highlighted his legal work defending State Trooper Ryan Londregan, whose charges were dropped and who was later cleared internally.
- He enters a crowded GOP primary field (including candidates such as Demuth, Robbins, Jensen, Qualls, among others) while Mike Lindell has been reported to be mulling a bid.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, Black individuals were 4,234 of the known aggravated assault offenders in Minnesota, while White individuals were 3,069.
2023 Uniform Crime Report — MN.gov
In 2023, Black individuals were 3,522 of the known robbery offenders in Minnesota, while White individuals were 443.
2023 Uniform Crime Report — MN.gov
From 2013 to 2023, 24% of people killed by police in Minnesota were Black, despite Black residents making up 6% of the population.
Police Scorecard: Minnesota — Police Scorecard
The Feeding Our Future fraud scheme involves mostly Somali perpetrators, with 78 defendants indicted.
Minnesota’s Somali Fraud Problem — City Journal
In 2015, the average SAT math score for Black students was 428, for White students 534, for Hispanic students 457, and for Asian students 598.
Racial achievement gap in the United States — Wikipedia
📰 Sources (2)
- Madel formally launched his campaign Monday in Minneapolis with a one-hour speech and PowerPoint centered on combating fraud (e.g., Feeding Our Future, Housing Stabilization Services, autism programs).
- He pledged a tough-on-crime approach and touted an endorsement from the Minneapolis Police Federation.
- Quoted criticism of state leaders across parties for failing to stop fraud: “This is our money… the Minnesota government is to blame.”
- Addressed past donations to Democrats, including Gov. Walz and the 2024 Harris–Walz ticket, and declined to apologize, citing bipartisan business considerations.
- Rep. Kristin Robbins responded by highlighting Madel’s history of DFL donations.
- Background emphasized: Madel successfully represented State Trooper Ryan Londregan; charges were dropped and Londregan was cleared internally.
- FOX 9 lists the crowded GOP field (Demuth, Robbins, Jensen, Qualls, etc.) and notes Mike Lindell is mulling a bid.