Minnesota governor primary election: Results

Key Points:

• Minnesota's primary election took place on August 11, with Republican and Democratic candidates competing for their party's nomination ahead of the November 3 general election, featuring an open governor's race after Democrat Tim Walz chose not to seek a third term.
• Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for governor, defeating six other candidates including the party-endorsed Kendall Qualls and Mike Lindell, endorsed by former President Donald Trump; Demuth is the Minnesota House Speaker and the first Black lawmaker to hold that position.
• Demuth criticized the current administration, citing issues such as a multi-billion-dollar fraud scandal, education shortcomings, and tax increases, and positioned herself as a candidate for change against the "Walz/Klobuchar status quo."
• On the Democratic side, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, the party-endorsed candidate and backed by Governor Walz, led the primary with six other challengers; Klobuchar is a senior senator with a long political career and selected Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer as her running mate.
• The primary results set the stage for a competitive gubernatorial race in November, with both parties presenting experienced candidates aiming to address Minnesota's challenges and future direction.