Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth launches GOP gubernatorial run, aiming to end DFL rule and become the state’s first female or Black governor.

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, has announced her gubernatorial bid, joining a competitive Republican field aiming to unseat Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and end 14 years of DFL control. She highlighted bipartisan achievements during a tied legislative session, including a $5 billion budget cut and repealing MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults, while emphasizing her historic potential as the state’s first female and first Black or person of color governor. Demuth pledged to reduce spending, cut taxes, and improve government efficiency, with the Republican primary set for August 11, 2026, and the general election on November 3, 2026.