Demuth-Klobuchar governor race guarantees Minnesota's first woman governor
Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for Minnesota governor on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.[1] Her victory sets up a general election matchup with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and guarantees Minnesota will elect its first woman governor.[2]
Demuth defeated Mike Lindell, who ran with former President Donald Trump's endorsement.[3] Kendall Qualls, who held the formal Minnesota GOP endorsement, was also a primary opponent.[1] Statewide primary turnout topped about 1,103,000 ballots, roughly 25% of eligible voters, setting a new record above the 2018 total by about 177,000 votes.[4] Counties will certify the results and the State Canvassing Board will review the returns on Aug. 18, the secretary of state said.[4] FOX 9 also compiled an issue comparison from candidates' campaign materials showing Demuth's stances on fraud, immigration and the Metro Surge, taxes and health care heading into the general election.[1]
Gov. Tim Walz's decision not to seek a third term opened the race and left both major parties with women nominees on the fall ballot.[1] If elected, Demuth would be Minnesota's first Black governor, the National Governors Association records cited by FOX 9 show.[2] Klobuchar is the first woman U.S. senator from Minnesota, and both campaigns will now pivot to a fall contest shaped around taxes, health care and immigration.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, FOX 9 reported that Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary; the story notes primary opponents included Kendall Qualls (who held the formal Minnesota GOP endorsement) and Lindell (who held former President Trump's endorsement).
- FOX 9 reiterates Minnesota has an open governor's race for the first time since 2018 after Gov. Tim Walz chose not to seek a third term.
- FOX 9 provides a structured issue comparison drawn from the candidates' own websites — covering fraud, immigration/Metro Surge, taxes and health care — clarifying Demuth's stated positions heading into the general election.
- Statewide primary turnout exceeded 1,103,000 ballots — about 25% of eligible voters — setting a new primary record and topping the prior record of 925,554 ballots from 2018 by roughly 177,000 votes.
- Counties will certify results and the State Canvassing Board will review the primary results on August 18, according to the Secretary of State.
- FOX 9 clarifies the 2026 governor’s race will produce Minnesota’s first woman governor, noting no male candidates from major parties will appear on the general election ballot.
- According to FOX 9 and National Governors Association records cited in the coverage, Lisa Demuth would be Minnesota’s first Black governor if she wins the general election.
- FOX 9 supplies additional biographical context about Demuth’s and Klobuchar’s political careers, noting past “firsts” such as the first woman U.S. senator from Minnesota and the first Black House speaker.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
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- Clarifies that the 2026 governor’s race will produce Minnesota’s first woman governor, with no male candidates from major parties on the ballot.
- Adds that Lisa Demuth would become Minnesota’s first Black governor if elected, according to National Governors Association records.
- Supplies additional biographical context about Demuth’s and Klobuchar’s political careers and past ‘firsts’ (first woman U.S. senator from Minnesota, first Black House speaker).
- Statewide primary turnout exceeded 1,103,000 ballots, about 25% of eligible voters, marking a new primary record.
- The prior record was 925,554 ballots in 2018, meaning 2026 exceeded it by roughly 177,000 votes.
- Counties will certify and the State Canvassing Board will review the results on August 18, per the Secretary of State.
- FOX 9 confirms Kendall Qualls was also a primary opponent and notes he held the formal Minnesota GOP endorsement, while Lindell held Trump's endorsement.
- Article reiterates that Minnesota has an open governor's race for the first time since 2018 after Gov. Tim Walz chose not to seek a third term.
- Piece provides a structured issue comparison drawn from candidates' own websites (fraud, immigration/Metro Surge, taxes, health care), clarifying Demuth's stated positions going into the general election.