Story perspectives

Lisa Demuth Wins Minnesota GOP Gubernatorial Primary, Rejects Endorsements

8/14/2026

Center

Demuth Wins

Minnesota held its primary election on August 11, 2026, selecting party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and other state offices.
Republican primary voters rejected both the state party’s endorsement and President Donald Trump’s endorsement, while DFL voters backed progressive candidates.
Lisa Demuth, House Speaker, won the GOP gubernatorial primary, the first non-endorsed winner since 1991.
Mike Lindell, President Donald Trump-endorsed former MyPillow CEO, lost and alleged voting anomalies.

Right

Demuth Nabs Nomination

Minnesota held its primary election on August 11, 2026, choosing party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and other state offices.
Republican primary voters rejected the party’s long-standing endorsed candidates, suggesting the GOP endorsement tradition may be ending.
Lisa Demuth won the gubernatorial nomination, beating Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls by 15 points.
KSTP/SurveyUSA polls had Lindell ahead, but over 1.1 million voters set a primary turnout record.

History

Historical Context

The 1978 Texas gubernatorial upset, where Republican Bill Clements won by a 0.72 % margin over Democratic Attorney General John Hill—the first GOP governor since 1869—illustrates how narrow victories can break long-standing party patterns. That precedent echoes Minnesota’s 2026 Republican primary, where grassroots voters again overrode traditional endorsements, signaling a potential realignment.

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Demuth Wins

Minnesota held its primary election on August 11, 2026, selecting party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and other state offices.
Republican primary voters rejected both the state party’s endorsement and President Donald Trump’s endorsement, while DFL voters backed progressive candidates.
Lisa Demuth, House Speaker, won the GOP gubernatorial primary, the first non-endorsed winner since 1991.
Mike Lindell, President Donald Trump-endorsed former MyPillow CEO, lost and alleged voting anomalies.

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