Loner Blue, Lisa Demuth, Raul Estrada, John Krhin, Mike Lindell, Ross Nova, and Kendall Qualls are running in the Republican primary for governor of Minnesota on Aug. 11. Demuth, Lindell, and Qualls lead in endorsements and media attention. Incumbent Tim Walz (D) is not running for re-election.
A welfare fraud investigation, Republican convention election voting irregularities, and electability are central themes in the primary.
According to The New York Times, "Scores of people in Minnesota have been accused of stealing up to hundreds of millions of dollars from state programs meant to help the poor and vulnerable." Republicans, including Demuth, Lindell, and Qualls, claim the state's Democratic leadership enabled the welfare fraud. All three are campaigning against fraud while saying they are the candidate best positioned to win election in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican governor since 2006, U.S. senator since 2002, and U.S. president since 1972.
