Governor 2026 Primary Election Guide: Republicans

This candidate declined KAXE's invitations to participate in the Primary Election Guide.

Website: LisaforMN.com

Age on Election Day: 59

Community: Cold Spring

Employment: Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I’m a mother of four, grandmother of seven, business owner, lifelong Minnesotan, and Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Before entering the legislature 7 years ago I served on my community’s school board for three terms. As House Speaker I led the charge to expose fraud of our tax dollars and stop the out-of-control tax and spending that Democrats pushed on Minnesotans when they had total control of government. I’m running for governor to save our state after 16 years of failed Democrat leadership in the executive branch. I am not a career politician, but I have the leadership skills and experience to fight for Minnesotans and return our state to a place where families can afford their lives.

Why are you running?

I’m running for governor to end the fraud of our tax dollars and to restore fiscal sanity to our state. When Tim Walz and his Democrat allies had total control of our state government in 2023 and 2024, they raised our taxes by tens of billions of dollars, increased our state budget by nearly 40% and engaged in divisive, partisan overreach that has hurt our families and businesses. When I became House Speaker last year, I led the charge to stop fraud, stop tax increases and reduce our state budget by $5 billion. I’m ready to lead Minnesota’s Comeback.

Editor’s note: The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce estimated in 2024 that Minnesota increased taxes over the next four years by $10 billion, pointing to increased corporate taxes and a 1% tax on investment income over $1 million.

Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?

Minnesotans are sick of their tax dollars being wasted on bad policy and stolen by fraudsters. As governor I will fire those responsible for the fraud. I’ll cut taxes for working families and businesses, end social security taxes for our seniors, preserve girls’ sports and support public safety to make our streets safe again. I’ll put a stop to the divisive ideology that has taken root in too many classrooms, and focus on delivering a quality education for children. I will also ensure we finally pass voter ID to help protect the integrity of our elections. I’ll restore an economic environment across our state where people choose to stay to start and grow a family or a business.

Who is your running mate, and why did you choose them?

I chose Ryan Wilson as my lieutenant governor running mate. Ryan ran for state auditor in 2022, and came within 0.32% of becoming the first Republican to win a statewide election since 2006. Ryan is a former business owner, a proven conservative and constitutional attorney who beat Tim Walz at the Supreme Court in 2025, when the Democrats fielded a candidate for legislature who lied about where he lived. Like me, Ryan is a lifelong Minnesotan. He's a father of five who resides with his wife and kids in Maple Grove. I've asked Ryan to help execute our plan to eliminate fraud in state government. Read our plan on my website.

What are your top three priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.

Lower taxes. Stop fraud and government waste. Help make Minnesota competitive and affordable again for businesses and families.

Minnesota families afford their lives will be my top priority as governor. I will work to cut income taxes for families by reducing the lowest two tax brackets, dial back expensive car tab fees that were raised by Democrats, and finally end taxes on social security benefits for our seniors. I will also push to require that state surplus dollars be returned to the taxpayers who paid them, because a budget surplus should not be an excuse for politicians to spend more money. Read more about my priorities as governor at lisaformn.com

How would you address concerns of widespread fraud in state-run programs?

When I’m governor, I will fire Walz commissioners and replace them with best-in-class leaders in relevant areas of expertise. And if they don’t perform, or if fraud continues, they will be fired immediately. My administration will continue the work I fought for as House Speaker, which includes establishing a Fraud Prevention Committee and passing bill to create an independent Office of Inspector General. This new office will operate independently from the executive branch and have future law enforcement authority to clamp down on Minnesota’s rampant fraud. The new OIG will be responsible for investigating state agencies, grant recipients, and contractors. It also will have subpoena power and the authority to freeze or stop distribution of funds under court order.

Read more about my Fraud Prevention plan at lisaformn.com/fraud-prevention-plan/

Northern Minnesota schools have had to make significant budget cuts in recent years, with most districts citing a lack of state funding. What changes to Minnesota’s education funding formula do you support, if any?

Minnesota schools need a dramatic reset. Despite years of increased investment, our test scores have stagnated and too many kids are moving through our education system despite failing to meet basic benchmarks for reading, writing, math, and science. As Governor I will lead an education revolution that puts academic excellence and reading proficiency at the center of our agenda. Before I entered the legislature in 2019, I served three terms on the ROCORI School Board, where we proved we could solve problems and provide quality education for children in an efficient manner. I will fight to keep woke gender and racial ideology out of our classrooms and focus dollars in the classroom instead of on growing the education bureaucracy that is driving up local property taxes across Minnesota.

There is a chance that Minnesota will have a split government during the next four years. How would you work across the aisle to govern effectively?

I have proven as a legislator since 2019, as House Minority Leader in 2023 and as House Speaker the last two years that I can lead my colleagues and work in constructive manner to get the basics done for Minnesotans. That does not mean we have to compromise our values. And it does not mean we have to throw more money at a problem. More often than not, the solutions to better and more efficient government do not involved spending more money. We will eliminate billions of wasted taxpayer dollars by ending the fraud culture that has persisted inside executive agencies that for 16 years under the control of Democrat governors. Minnesotans are ready to end that chapter of fraud.

Contributed

Website: raul2026-crushcommunism.com

Age on Election Day: 64

Community: CD2, Apple Valley

Employment: Retired

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

40 years serving Minnesotan communities statewide.

Why are you running?

Current candidate lineup of "serial candidates" have no experience in dealing with todays violent and aggressive landscape of todays political environment. None have engaged in anything other than campaigning every election cycle.....with the few currently holding office having done nothing to oppose the fraud and corruption while in office until the recently decided to run, only now taking any actions to bolster their political platform for votes. Not only do I have a 40 year history of engagement, but also have a strong foothold and support in Minnesotas major voter bases within metro districts to actually get those votes....whereas the others are afraid to go, and refuse to campaign in. We cant afford to lose this election with weak candidates that will fold under pressure with no real life experiences

Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?

Simple answer. Having proved myself over the past 40 years throughout Minnesota and my willingness and ability to put myself on the line for them throughtout the years fighting for them in multiple situations.
I have been heavily involved In Minnesotas inner city urban districts earning the trust and support to get that support other Republican candidates cannot get.

Who is your running mate, and why did you choose them?

Joe Kincaid. Chosen because we have fought for Minnesotans together since 2020 and I trust his convictions and integrity

What are your top three priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.

1. Block the socialist agenda to destabilize Minnesotas economy through Marxist tactics in order to create a dependency on government programs to instill socialism. Use current government programs to create indepence and prosperity for Minnesotans, instead of dependency on government programs.

2. Hold all those accountable involved or complicit with fraud, as well as the consequences needed to deter it from ever happening again.

3. Unify the moderate voters from both side of the political isle to bring together a unified front to restore our state and way of life

How would you address concerns of widespread fraud in state-run programs?

"Real" investigation", not the political charade of going through the motions for votes. Hold all those accountable from top to bottom. Handcuffs, jail, and heavy sentences to deter from ever happening again

Northern Minnesota schools have had to make significant budget cuts in recent years, with most districts citing a lack of state funding. What changes to Minnesota’s education funding formula do you support, if any?

Sadly with the wasteful spending already taking its toll there isnt much room left to change that situation until we can rein in the fraud and waste. However, there are still other alternative solutions. Id propose raising the bar on academic curriculum, as well as bringing trades and career preparation back into the classroom, with students being able to participate in internships and "earn to learn" programs after school and through vacations. To be earning a livable wage with benefits straight out of high school

There is a chance that Minnesota will have a split government during the next four years. How would you work across the aisle to govern effectively?

Im already entertaining that by working to unify miderates on both sides of the isle

Contributed

Website: krhin4gov.com

Age on Election Day: 73

Community: Side Lake

Employment: Retired Pastor

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I bring more than fifty years of leadership experience across ministry, business, labor, and property management. As a Minister of the Gospel, I have recruited, mentored, and developed leaders in church congregations, overseeing organizational development and acquiring and managing property. This required sustained team leadership, long-term planning, conflict resolution, and stewardship of people and resources in community-based organizations.

In addition to ministry leadership, I have worked in a range of hands-on industries that reflect Minnesota’s working people, as a miner, as a pre-loader and delivery worker, and an over-the-road truck driver. I have also owned and operated a small business serving title companies and currently manage commercial and residential real estate. I have designed and built two homes and remodeling others, requiring coordination of contractors, budgeting, and project execution.

My experiences reflect practical leadership, business management, and a lifelong record of working with and leading teams in real-world environments.

Why are you running?

The United States and Minnesota face serious challenges, including weakening public trust in government, disregard for the rule of law, and a growing secularism that I believe is inconsistent with the moral foundations that shaped our nation and state. I am running because I believe I have been called to serve at this moment in history to help restore those foundations.

My focus is on protecting human life, strengthening parental rights in education and upbringing, respecting private property, and ensuring responsible stewardship of our land and water. These principles are rooted in our Christian heritage and the values that have long guided our constitutional republic, and they form the cornerstone of my campaign.

Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?

My approach is to begin at a foundational level, with the principles upon which our system of government rests. While public policy discussions often focus on budgets, processes, and regulatory reform, I believe those efforts must be grounded in a stronger moral and civic foundation if we are to effectively address the deeper challenges facing Minnesota.

As President John Adams observed, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” When those foundations weaken, no level of policy detail or administrative reform is sufficient on its own. I am running to help restore and reinforce those principles so that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are protected not only in law, but in practice across Minnesota.

Who is your running mate, and why did you choose them?

Dennis Conn of Alexandria, Minnesota is an experienced businessman and entrepreneur who shares a commitment to restoring the moral foundations of the State of Minnesota. He is an innovator who identifies needs and works to address them through practical solutions. Drawing on his extensive background as a commercial pilot, he is currently developing a school to train young pilots, applying his experience to create new opportunities for the next generation.

What are your top three priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.

My top priorities will focus on restoring foundational principles, strengthening family authority, and ensuring integrity in state government.

I will work with the Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot establishing a right-to-life framework for Minnesota, allowing the voters of our state to decide the question of unrestricted abortion policy directly.

I will ensure that parents retain full authority over the upbringing of their children, including decisions related to education, healthcare, and faith. This includes ending state or local interference that overrides parental rights in schools or through education bureaucracies, and restoring local accountability in education governance.

I will pursue a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and misconduct involving state government funds or programs. This includes strengthening oversight mechanisms, ensuring that violations are fully investigated and prosecuted where appropriate, and holding accountable both those who commit fraud and those in positions of authority who knowingly fail to act.

How would you address concerns of widespread fraud in state-run programs?

The Legislature has already passed, and Governor Walz has signed, legislation establishing an independent Office of Inspector General (OIG), but it has not yet been fully funded to operate effectively. If elected, I would ensure the OIG is fully funded and staffed, and appoint a highly qualified, independent leader to ensure strong oversight and accountability.

In the meantime, I would direct all Commissioners to conduct comprehensive audits of their respective agencies as a top priority, with a clear mandate to identify and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse. Where wrongdoing is identified, responsible individuals would be held accountable through termination and, when appropriate, referral for investigation and prosecution.

Editor’s note: The Minnesota Legislature created the Office of the Inspector General in 2026 and appropriated funds for the office. The OIG may be able to expand its own law enforcement branch starting in 2028, if deemed necessary and funds are appropriated.

Northern Minnesota schools have had to make significant budget cuts in recent years, with most districts citing a lack of state funding. What changes to Minnesota’s education funding formula do you support, if any?

We need to deal with ever-increasing public and secondary education budgets across the state. It is prudent to carefully examine the value and outcomes we are receiving from tax dollars invested in our public schools.

A 2024 report by the Center of the American Experiment raised a red flag. “Less than half of students — 45.3 percent in math and 49.7 percent in reading, respectively — demonstrated grade-level numeracy and literacy skills…” We must do better.
We're now getting poorer results despite spending more. I will work to ensure we get better results and spend less.

Editor’s note: Krhin quoted a 2025 article from the Center of the American Experiment that cited 2024 data from the Minnesota Department of Education. While the exact percentages vary slightly, proficiency levels have remained below 50% in reading and math since at least 2021.

There is a chance that Minnesota will have a split government during the next four years. How would you work across the aisle to govern effectively?

Effective governance begins with listening carefully to a wide range of perspectives and respecting the role of all elected representatives in the legislative process. I would work to engage legislators on both sides of the aisle in good-faith dialogue, focusing on shared concerns and practical solutions that serve Minnesotans well.

At the same time, I would be clear and consistent about my governing principles, including protecting human life, upholding the Minnesota and United States Constitutions, and promoting the moral foundations that support a healthy and responsible society. I will clearly communicate my positions so legislators understand where I stand, while still leaving room for negotiation and collaboration on the best path forward for the people of Minnesota.

Website: mikelindellgov.com

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Website: rossnovaforgovernor.com

Age on Election Day: 37

Community: Robbinsdale MN

Employment: Owner Operator Truck Driver

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

Growing up in an orphanage taught me resilience and perseverance. Missing years of early education showed me the lasting impact educational gaps can have on a child's future. My military service taught me discipline, leadership, accountability, and the importance of protecting the freedoms we all enjoy.
I have also experienced homelessness, giving me firsthand knowledge of how difficult it is to rebuild your life. Those experiences taught me that, with opportunity and personal responsibility, people can overcome adversity and build a future they can be proud of.
I understand there are no quick fixes. Building a stronger Minnesota takes patience, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to long-term solutions rather than chasing political trends or empty promises. I believe government should protect our freedoms, create opportunity, and provide a stable foundation that allows individuals, families, and businesses to succeed.

Why are you running?

I am running because I believe Minnesotans deserve more choices when selecting their next governor. My goal is to strengthen Minnesota's foundation so it can support future generations.
After reviewing the other candidates' websites, videos, forums, and social media, I found too many slogans and broad promises, but very few detailed plans explaining how those goals would be achieved. That's why I built my platform differently. Rather than relying on slogans or vague ideas, I focus on detailed proposals that answer the most important question: How will we get it done?

Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?

Voters should choose someone who has clear, detailed ideas on how to solve Minnesota's problems—not someone who relies on slogans or vague promises. They should choose someone who wants to stabilize Minnesota's economy, bring Fortune 500 companies back, and be a champion for small businesses by creating strong incentives to start and grow a business.
Voters should also choose someone who is honest about the numbers rather than making small savings sound much larger than they really are.
Finally, voters should choose someone who believes government should live within its means by putting it on a weight-loss program instead of increasing the budget year after year.

Who is your running mate, and why did you choose them?

Kerry Busby

What are your top three priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.

Freeze property tax increases for the next four years, followed by a maximum annual increase of 1%. This would create a snowball effect of savings, help stabilize the rental market, and provide relief for farmers and businesses.

Protect businesses from crime by holding criminals accountable and preventing individuals from suing a business for injuries sustained while committing a crime.

Create programs that encourage businesses to train young people in skilled trades by providing tax incentives for participating employers.

How would you address concerns of widespread fraud in state-run programs?

One proposed approach to increasing government transparency is a Minnesota Tax Tracker application. Under this concept, state spending on government programs, schools, and contracts would be publicly viewable in a searchable database. Users could follow how tax dollars are spent and flag transactions they believe warrant additional review. Flagged transactions would be visible to both the public and the appropriate government agency, allowing the agency to review the concern and provide an explanation or other response when appropriate.

Northern Minnesota schools have had to make significant budget cuts in recent years, with most districts citing a lack of state funding. What changes to Minnesota’s education funding formula do you support, if any?

The proposal would begin with financial audits of schools to identify areas where Minnesota tax dollars may be spent inefficiently. Based on the audit findings, schools that agree to operate under the revised budget framework would have their funding restored to 100%. As part of the program, participating schools would submit quarterly reports detailing their expenditures to promote ongoing financial accountability and transparency.

There is a chance that Minnesota will have a split government during the next four years. How would you work across the aisle to govern effectively?

Personally, I would rather see a divided government if it means change happens more deliberately. I believe that moving at a slower pace can give Minnesota more time to evaluate policies instead of simply following the latest trends.

I would also carefully review any legislation before signing it. If I believe the figures or projected savings presented in a bill are inaccurate or materially overstated, I would withhold my approval until the information is corrected and supported by reliable data.

Website: kqformn.com

KAXE did not recieve a response from this candidate.