Kendall Qualls wins GOP endorsement for governor of Minnesota

Kendall Qualls secured the Republican endorsement for Minnesota governor at the GOP state convention in Duluth, defeating House Speaker Lisa Demuth following 10 rounds of voting. The process was disrupted by malfunctioning voting devices, sparking debates among delegates over whether to proceed with an endorsement. Qualls, a former health care executive and Army veteran, would make history as the first Black major-party candidate for governor in Minnesota if nominated, facing Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the August 11 primary. Demuth, who led the first four voting rounds before Qualls overtook her, has not confirmed whether she will withdraw from the race despite the party’s endorsement. Pillow mogul Mike Lindell, who finished third, announced he will continue his campaign into the primary. The voting irregularities raised concerns about the legitimacy of the results, with Demuth questioning their validity while Qualls urged delegates to move forward. The convention’s delays and disputes risk dividing the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections, where President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings may further strain the GOP. Klobuchar, the likely Democratic nominee, has already secured millions in fundraising and is expected to receive additional support from outside groups. If Demuth and Lindell proceed to the primary, the race could become a three-way contest, complicating the GOP’s efforts to unite behind a single candidate. The party’s endorsement process, originally intended to streamline the primary, now faces scrutiny over the handling of the voting issues. The outcome will determine whether Minnesota’s gubernatorial race remains competitive or descends into internal divisions.