Lisa Demuth defeats Mike Lindell in Minnesota GOP gubernatorial primary

Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial primary concluded on Tuesday with House Speaker Lisa Demuth defeating Trump ally Mike Lindell, setting up a general‑election face‑off against Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Demuth, 44, has served as Speaker of the Minnesota House since 2021 and is seen as a moderate who can appeal to the state's independent voters. Lindell, the founder of the OneCoin cryptocurrency company, is best known for his 2020 election‑election fraud claims and his support of former President Trump. The primary result shows that Minnesota Republicans are choosing a candidate with legislative experience over a high‑profile Trump‑backer. The state has voted for Democratic presidential candidates in the last three elections, and the GOP is hoping to flip the governor’s office in a year when the national political climate is highly polarized.

In the primary, Demuth received 55 % of the vote to Lindell’s 41 %. She ran a low‑profile campaign that focused on job growth, rural infrastructure, and a balanced budget. Lindell spent nearly $5 million of his own money, but his message about election integrity and his willingness to challenge the political establishment did not resonate with the majority of voters. Demuth’s win was welcomed by the Minnesota Republican Party, which said the state needs a governor who can work across the aisle. Lindell’s campaign spokesman said the candidate would continue to push for election reform.

The general election will be held on November 5, 2024, with the winner taking office in January. Demuth has already begun outlining her campaign strategy, which includes a focus on small‑town revitalization and a pledge to keep taxes low. Klobuchar, who has served in the Senate since 2007, is expected to lean heavily on her experience and her record on health care and infrastructure. The race is already being watched by national media because a Republican win could signal a shift in Minnesota’s political balance and give the GOP a stronger foothold in the Senate.