Lisa Demuth defeats Lindell in GOP governor primary
Lisa Demuth defeated Mike Lindell to win the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor, setting up a contest in an open seat after Gov. Tim Walz declined a third term.[1]
Kendall Qualls was also on the ballot and held the formal Minnesota GOP endorsement, while Lindell carried former President Donald Trump's endorsement.[1] Fox 9 published a side-by-side issue comparison that clarified Demuth's stated positions on fraud, immigration and the Metro Surge, taxes and health care heading into the general election.[1]
Gov. Tim Walz opted not to seek a third term, creating the state's first open governor's race since 2018.[1] That vacancy drew multiple Republican contenders vying for the nomination in a primary that drew national attention because of Trump's endorsement of one candidate.[2]
Local outlets reported Demuth's victory in late-evening results coverage, noting the upset over a Trump-backed rival and the quick pivot to the November general election.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- Lisa Demuth defeated Lindell to win the Republican gubernatorial primary, Fox 9 reports.
- Kendall Qualls was also a primary opponent and held the formal Minnesota GOP endorsement, while Lindell carried former President Trump's endorsement, according to Fox 9.
- The result leaves an open Minnesota governor's race for the first time since 2018 after Gov. Tim Walz chose not to seek a third term, Fox 9 notes.
- Fox 9 published a structured issue comparison drawn from candidates' campaign websites that covers fraud, immigration/Metro Surge, taxes and health care and clarifies Demuth's stated positions heading into the general election.
- Fox 9's article reporting these results was posted Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM Central.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- FOX 9 confirms Kendall Qualls was also a primary opponent and notes he held the formal Minnesota GOP endorsement, while Lindell held Trump's endorsement.
- Article reiterates that Minnesota has an open governor's race for the first time since 2018 after Gov. Tim Walz chose not to seek a third term.
- Piece provides a structured issue comparison drawn from candidates' own websites (fraud, immigration/Metro Surge, taxes, health care), clarifying Demuth's stated positions going into the general election.