Republican Chris Madel Exits MN Governor Race, Blasts Immigration Crackdown

(KNSI) — The lawyer who represented the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who shot and killed a 37-year-old mother of three has ended his bid for governor.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel suspended his campaign today, citing opposition to what he called federal “retribution” against Minnesotans.

In an 11-minute video announcement, Madel criticized his own party’s response to recent federal enforcement actions in the state, saying the operations erode public trust, intimidate residents and show a disregard for constitutional limits and American values. His decision follows the deaths of two Minnesotans – Renee Good and Alex Pretti – during encounters with ICE agents.

DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom called on other Republicans to break with the Trump administration over federal operations in Minnesota.

“The brutality in our neighborhoods is absolutely indefensible, and even staunch Minnesota Republicans are acknowledging it,” Carlbom said.

Madel joins a small number of Republicans nationally who have publicly criticized federal enforcement tactics in the state. In his announcement, he called the enforcement, titled Operation Metro Surge, an unmitigated disaster.

Madel also represented Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan after he was charged with murder following the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb II. Cobb dragged Londregan and another trooper while he was trying to flee a traffic stop in 2023. Those charges were dropped.

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