Minnesota GOP Candidates Discuss State Policies

Three GOP gubernatorial candidates debated in Minnesota on May 21, 2026, discussing taxes, regulation, guns, mental health, welfare dependency, and education policy.
Candidates argued that Minnesota's tax rates and mandates drive businesses away, with Demuth calling paid family leave 'unsustainable for businesses.'. Qualls criticized government fraud, while Demuth cited 64 school mandates in 2023 and noted pre-COVID student performance.
Qualls aimed to secure the party's first trifecta since 1969 by lowering taxes through political strategy.
MyPillow founder Mike Lindell was excluded from the debate for not committing to the party's endorsing process.

Politics | Education | Tax

Minnesota | Rochester | August 11 primary election

Mike Lindell | Lisa Demuth | Kendall Qualls | Patrick Knight

2 hours ago