Republican House Speaker Representative Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring Announces Candidacy for Governor

(KNSI) — Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) declared her candidacy Monday for the Republican gubernatorial nomination to challenge Tim Walz in 2026.

A small business owner, mother, and grandmother, Demuth previously served on the ROCORI School Board. The lifelong Minnesota resident was born in Paynesville, grew up in south Minneapolis, and eventually settled in Cold Spring to raise her family.

In a press release announcing her candidacy, she says, “Minnesota faces a critical juncture and urgently requires fresh leadership following two terms under Tim Walz. As House Speaker, I stand as the only candidate in this field who has directly opposed Tim Walz, and I’m confident in my ability to unite the Republican Party and secure victory in 2026.”

Earlier this year, Demuth made history by becoming both the first Black legislator and the first Republican woman elected to serve as House Speaker.

The release adds, “As Governor, I’ll bring fiscal responsibility back to our state budget by combating wasteful spending, eliminating fraud, and stopping what I view as Democrat giveaways for illegal immigrants,” Demuth said. “My administration will prioritize improving test scores in our schools and address what I see as divisive ideology in classrooms. I’ll champion investment in essential infrastructure like roads and bridges rather than costly, underutilized rail projects. I’ll eliminate regulations that impede housing development and investment. And I’ll work to make Minnesota an attractive destination for businesses, mining operations, and manufacturing jobs.

“By any standard, Tim Walz has let Minnesota down. During his tenure, fraud has proliferated throughout state programs. Violent crime has risen. Half of Minnesota’s students cannot read at grade level. Walz increased taxes by billions and mismanaged a historic budget surplus. We need a change in direction, and I’ll provide it next November.”

See her campaign video here.

So far, the Republican field also consists of former state Senator Dr. Scott Jensen, businessman Kendall Qualls and Representative Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove.

“The CEOs and right-wing corporate lobbyists picked Lisa Demuth because they know she’ll protect hedge funds over health care,” said Minnesota DFL Chair Richard Carlbom. “As Speaker, she’s shown Minnesota exactly what she’ll prioritize. She’ll cut taxes for massive corporations while cutting funding for schools and seniors. She’ll protect tax loopholes for her donors while opposing relief for workers and middle-class families. Lisa Demuth is the corporate candidate in this race. If Lisa Demuth and the billionaires win, Minnesotans lose.”

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