Republican Kendall Qualls Launches Second Minnesota Governor Campaign

Republican Kendall Qualls, a U.S. Army veteran and business executive, officially launched his campaign for Minnesota governor, marking his second gubernatorial bid after losing the GOP nomination in 2022. Qualls criticized current Governor Tim Walz's leadership, citing budget deficits and rising crime, and positioned himself as a conservative candidate with business experience and law-and-order credentials. The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) strongly opposed Qualls' candidacy, labeling him a "far-right culture warrior" who seeks to defund public schools and restrict access to health care and reproductive rights. Qualls also founded a nonprofit called "TakeCharge," aimed at uniting Americans around shared values. Governor Walz has not yet announced whether he will seek a rare third term in office. The race remains open as Qualls is one of the first candidates to enter the 2026 gubernatorial contest.