{'byline': 'by Lindsey Peterson, Steve Simpson', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': '', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'wccoradio', 'path': 'wccoradio/news/local/chris-madel-ends-governor-bid-cites-republican-retribution'}], 'syndicated_items': '', 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v43', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2026-01-26T14:41:19.790Z', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'Man shot during Minneapolis immigration crackdown has died', 'thumbnail_url': 'https://s1.dmcdn.net/v/ZugOg1fTNw0btQM0f', 'id': 'x9yg5ka', 'created_time': 1769298610, 'mode': 'vod', 'private_id': 'k6kEFh6T5qFR8zEKakq', 'owner': 'x2yitaa', 'description': 'A federal officer shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, according to a hospital record obtained by the Associated Press.', 'channel': 'news', 'tags': ['WCCOAM', 'Minneapolis', 'ICE', 'Border Patrol', 'Immigration', 'Trump', 'Administration'], 'private': False, 'addPublic': True}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/dailymotion/instances/cmkv9atxh002p357v7w75g3bx@published'}], 'slug': 'chris-madel-ends-governor-bid-cites-republican-retribution', 'tags': ['Minnesota', 'Minnesota Governor Race', 'Minnesota Governor', 'Chris Madel', 'Lisa Demuth', 'Mike Lindell', 'Kristin Robbins', 'Kendall Qualls', 'Governor Tim Walz', 'Senator Amy Klobuchar', '2026 Election', 'WCCO Election Central', 'President Donald Trump', 'Trump Administration', 'Republican Party'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cmkv8so54001w01saclhd1ahf@published'}, 'byline': [{'names': [{'name': 'Lindsey Peterson', 'text': 'Lindsey Peterson', 'slug': 'lindsey-peterson'}, {'name': 'Steve Simpson', 'text': 'Steve Simpson', 'slug': 'steve-simpson'}], 'sources': [], 'hosts': [], 'prefix': 'by'}], 'teaser': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can’t support “Republican retribution” in Minnesota', 'authors': ['Lindsey Peterson', 'Steve Simpson'], 'content': [{'data': {'text': "Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel has made a stunning announcement early Monday, saying he was dropping out of the race. He is saying he can no longer support the national Republican Party's "retribution" campaign in Minnesota.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv8so54002001saeihe3yva@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7934356_2026-01-26-142656&withPlaylist=false&theme=dark&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7934356_2026-01-26-142656&withPlaylist=false&theme=dark&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmkv9aqr2002e357vcf7i3hvi@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'It comes just two days after <a href="https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/news/local/videos-minneapolis-shooting-contradict-government-statements">Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year old Alex Pretti</a> in south Minneapolis. Federal officials are claiming Pretti "brandished" a gun, one he was legally allowed to carry in Minnesota, and even claiming without evidence he intended to "massacre law enforcement." But use-of-force experts criticized the Trump administration’s justification of the killing, saying bystander footage contradicted its narrative of what prompted it.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv96hjg0023357vzkyf8l7u@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'A local attorney, Madel has said he supported initial goals from the Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security to remove undocumented immigrants with criminal records, but now adds "it expanded far beyond" that.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95fjk000s357vyobk0vrf@published'}, {'data': {'text': '"I cannot support the national Republicans stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so," Madel explained. "Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats."', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv9fzv8003o357vvy7gbb0z@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Madel says he has seen a number of non-U.S. citizens who committed serious crimes removed, and says "he's glad" they're no longer here.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv9dm25003c357v3ay6hrmc@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'However, he goes on to say in a video posted to social media that he personally has witnessed significant racial profiling by federal agents in the Twin Cities.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95fl1000t357vj5u9stoa@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear," Madel said in a <a href="https://x.com/cwmadel/status/2015783448091283559?s=46&t=5Fu33OB1IHeWR_IN6urlNg">nearly 11-minute video</a> announcing his withdrawal. "United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That’s wrong."', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95fmk000u357vni8yxcxw@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Local <a href="https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/news/local/local-law-enforcement-concerned-racial-profiling-from-ice">law enforcement have also denounced</a> what they describe as a \'recent surge in civil rights violations\' by a subset of federal agents, saying last week they were finding numerous reports of residents and even off-duty officers of color being boxed-in and held at gunpoint without cause.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv9bw1w0030357v069re0pl@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Madel joined a crowded GOP field late in 2025. That includes Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, MyPillow CEO/Founder and fervant Trump supporter Mike Lindell, former state Rep. and 2022 candidate Dr. Scott Jensen, and local businessman Kendall Qualls.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95fo7000v357vzl66xdxi@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has already said he was withdrawing from the race. <a href="https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/news/local/report-sen-klobuchar-takes-step-towards-run-for-governor">It appears U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar</a> does intend to run as a Democrat, last week filing some paperwork forming her campaign team, although she has yet to make a formal announcement.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95fsj000w357vd53fzyp6@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7934253_2026-01-26-130853&withPlaylist=false&theme=dark&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7934253_2026-01-26-130853&withPlaylist=false&theme=dark&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmkv9uimx0060357v3naxshx5@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Madel is not the first on the GOP side to become critical of actions by federal agents in Minneapolis.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95m6s0016357vqgn0ns2n@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Nationally, a growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics in Minnesota, a sign that the Trump administration's accounting of events may face bipartisan scrutiny.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv96de7001t357v1qswc6mk@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino sought testimony from leaders at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, saying “my top priority remains keeping Americans safe.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95xdt001h357v9ckmd41o@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'A host of other congressional Republicans, including Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas and Sens.\xa0<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/thom-tillis">Thom Tillis</a>\xa0of North Carolina,\xa0<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-cassidy">Bill Cassidy</a>\xa0of Louisiana,\xa0<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/susan-collins">Susan Collins</a>\xa0of Maine and\xa0<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lisa-murkowski">Lisa Murkowski</a>\xa0of Alaska, pressed for more information. Their statements, in addition to concern expressed from several Republican governors, reflected a party struggling with how to respond to Saturday’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a VA hospital.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95xdt001i357vnx8kb6rk@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Trump administration officials were quick to cast Pretti as the instigator. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was among those who said Pretti “approached” immigration officers with a gun and acted violently.\xa0<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-videos-861a0d8f3ee182f3b5909b3613900e2e">Videos from the scene</a>\xa0show Pretti being pushed by an officer and then a half-dozen agents descend on him. During the scuffle, he is holding a phone but is never seen brandishing the 9mm semiautomatic handgun police say he was licensed to carry.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv95xdt001j357ve0hc1ez3@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<a href="https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2015782103309263282">President Donald Trump just announced</a> on Truth Social Monday morning that he is sending White House Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, who he says has "not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there.", adding "Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me."', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv9h2et0040357v6zuuf9ir@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Trump also then goes on to talk about a fraud investigation that has nothing to do with Operation Metro Surge, connecting that with protests here without any evidence. He also mentions Ilhan Omar in the post, claiming they're "looking at Omar," and making unsubstantiated claims about her net worth.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkv9jmw0004c357vpxqh3qbk@published'}, {'data': {'text': '"Tom Homan will be managing ICE Operations on the ground in Minnesota to continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens," added White House Press Sec. Karoline Leavitt. "In addition, Tom will coordinate with those leading investigations into the massive, widespread fraud that has resulted in billions of taxpayer dollars being stolen from law-abiding citizens in Minnesota."', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkva1y4v000a357vz2czsoxc@published'}], 'feedImg': {'data': {'alt': 'Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel has made a stunning announcement early Monday, saying he was dropping out of the race. He is saying he can no longer support the national Republican Party\'s "retribution" campaign in Minnesota.', 'url': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/Madel-9e6426e4-59c3-400e-8700-474d6adce917.jpg', 'width': 1424, 'credit': '(Image courtesy of Madel for Governor)', 'height': 767, 'mimeType': 'image/jpeg', 'sizeInBytes': '63332', 'componentVariation': 'feed-image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/feed-image/instances/cmkv8so54001x01sajnzfa82s@published'}, 'sources': [], '_version': 24, 'featured': False, 'headline': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can\'t support "Republican retribution" in Minnesota', 'msnTitle': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can\'t support "Republican retribution" in Minnesota', 'textTags': ['Minnesota', 'Minnesota Governor Race', 'Minnesota Governor', 'Chris Madel', 'Lisa Demuth', 'Mike Lindell', 'Kristin Robbins', 'Kendall Qualls', 'Governor Tim Walz', 'Senator Amy Klobuchar', '2026 Election', 'WCCO Election Central', 'President Donald Trump', 'Trump Administration', 'Republican Party'], '_msnTitle': {'shouldOverride': False}, 'apContent': None, 'isOpinion': False, 'pageTitle': 'Chris Madel ends governor bid cites "Republican retribution"', 'sideShare': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/share/instances/cmkv8so54001y01sarc7u4h3o@published'}, 'feedImgUrl': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/Madel-9e6426e4-59c3-400e-8700-474d6adce917.jpg', 'feedLayout': 'small', 'showSocial': True, 'stationURL': 'https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio', 'breadcrumbs': [{'hidden': False, 'text': '830 WCCO', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/wccoradio'}, {'hidden': False, 'text': 'News', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/wccoradio/news'}, {'hidden': False, 'text': 'Local', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/wccoradio/news/local'}], 'contentType': 'article', 'seoHeadline': 'Chris Madel ends governor bid cites "Republican retribution"', 'stationName': '830 WCCO', 'stationSlug': 'wccoradio', 'subHeadline': '"Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats," say Madel', 'dateModified': '2026-01-26T14:43:35.773Z', 'featuredNews': True, 'sectionFront': 'news', 'fullWidthLead': False, 'shortHeadline': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can\'t support "Republican retribution" in Minnesota', 'syndicatedUrl': None, 'unityPageType': 'article', 'editorialFeeds': None, 'featuredSports': False, 'msnTitleLength': 107, 'seoDescription': 'Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel has made a stunning announcement early Monday, saying he was dropping out of the race. He is saying he can no longer support the national Republican Party’s “retribution” campaign in Minnesota.', 'stationLogoUrl': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aud-opsconsole-media-images-prod-prod/logos/WCCOAM.jpg', 'isContentFromAP': False, 'noIndexNoFollow': False, 'pageDescription': 'Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel has made a stunning announcement early Monday, saying he was dropping out of the race. He is saying he can no longer support the national Republican Party’s “retribution” campaign in Minnesota.', 'primaryHeadline': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can\'t support "Republican retribution" in Minnesota', 'stationCallsign': 'WCCOAM', 'stationTimezone': 'US/Central', 'genreSyndication': None, 'socialDescription': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can’t support “Republican retribution” in Minnesota', 'syndicationStatus': 'original', 'componentVariation': 'article', 'stationSyndication': [], 'hasSecondaryBylines': False, 'corporateSyndication': None, 'rollingStandoutCount': 0, 'secondarySectionFront': 'local', 'contentPageSponsorLogo': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/google-ad-manager/instances/cmkv8so54001z01sajjwqayao@published'}, 'displayLogoSponsorship': False, 'plaintextShortHeadline': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can\'t support "Republican retribution" in Minnesota', '_opinionHeadlineOverride': {'shouldOverride': False}, 'plaintextPrimaryHeadline': 'Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can\'t support "Republican retribution" in Minnesota', 'canBeMarkedGoogleStandout': True, 'isContentFromNoIndexByline': False, 'availableStandoutArticleInventory': True, 'articleWithinGoogleStandoutPublishDateLimit': True, 'canonicalUrl': 'http://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/news/local/chris-madel-ends-governor-bid-cites-republican-retribution', 'site': 'demo', 'slugLock': True}, 'sort': [5835918], 'stationSlug': 'wccoradio', 'original_id': 'www.audacy.com/_components/article/instances/cmkv8so54002101saeu3n3p1u@published'}}

Condition: Post with Page_List

Video

Chris Madel drops out of the race for governor, says he can't support "Republican retribution" in Minnesota

"Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats," say Madel

By Lindsey Peterson,

Lindsey Peterson

Lindsey Peterson is WCCO Radio's Director of News and Operations. He studied Journalism and Broadcasting at Anoka-Ramsey and Brown College before…

Follow:

Steve Simpson

News Editor/AnchorNEW: Join 830 News Talk editor and anchor Steve Simpson next May 6 on a journey to London & Paris with Collette, where your only…

Follow:

Jan 26, 2026

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel has made a stunning announcement early Monday, saying he was dropping out of the race. He is saying he can no longer support the national Republican Party's "retribution" campaign in Minnesota.

It comes just two days after Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year old Alex Pretti in south Minneapolis. Federal officials are claiming Pretti "brandished" a gun, one he was legally allowed to carry in Minnesota, and even claiming without evidence he intended to "massacre law enforcement." But use-of-force experts criticized the Trump administration’s justification of the killing, saying bystander footage contradicted its narrative of what prompted it.

A local attorney, Madel has said he supported initial goals from the Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security to remove undocumented immigrants with criminal records, but now adds "it expanded far beyond" that.

"I cannot support the national Republicans stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so," Madel explained. "Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats."

Madel says he has seen a number of non-U.S. citizens who committed serious crimes removed, and says "he's glad" they're no longer here.

However, he goes on to say in a video posted to social media that he personally has witnessed significant racial profiling by federal agents in the Twin Cities.

“United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear," Madel said in a nearly 11-minute video announcing his withdrawal. "United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That’s wrong."

Local law enforcement have also denounced what they describe as a 'recent surge in civil rights violations' by a subset of federal agents, saying last week they were finding numerous reports of residents and even off-duty officers of color being boxed-in and held at gunpoint without cause.

Madel joined a crowded GOP field late in 2025. That includes Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, MyPillow CEO/Founder and fervant Trump supporter Mike Lindell, former state Rep. and 2022 candidate Dr. Scott Jensen, and local businessman Kendall Qualls.

Current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has already said he was withdrawing from the race. It appears U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar does intend to run as a Democrat, last week filing some paperwork forming her campaign team, although she has yet to make a formal announcement.

Madel is not the first on the GOP side to become critical of actions by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Nationally, a growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics in Minnesota, a sign that the Trump administration's accounting of events may face bipartisan scrutiny.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino sought testimony from leaders at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, saying “my top priority remains keeping Americans safe.”

A host of other congressional Republicans, including Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas and Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, pressed for more information. Their statements, in addition to concern expressed from several Republican governors, reflected a party struggling with how to respond to Saturday’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a VA hospital.

Trump administration officials were quick to cast Pretti as the instigator. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was among those who said Pretti “approached” immigration officers with a gun and acted violently. Videos from the scene show Pretti being pushed by an officer and then a half-dozen agents descend on him. During the scuffle, he is holding a phone but is never seen brandishing the 9mm semiautomatic handgun police say he was licensed to carry.

President Donald Trump just announced on Truth Social Monday morning that he is sending White House Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, who he says has "not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there.", adding "Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me."

Trump also then goes on to talk about a fraud investigation that has nothing to do with Operation Metro Surge, connecting that with protests here without any evidence. He also mentions Ilhan Omar in the post, claiming they're "looking at Omar," and making unsubstantiated claims about her net worth.

"Tom Homan will be managing ICE Operations on the ground in Minnesota to continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens," added White House Press Sec. Karoline Leavitt. "In addition, Tom will coordinate with those leading investigations into the massive, widespread fraud that has resulted in billions of taxpayer dollars being stolen from law-abiding citizens in Minnesota."

Condition: Post with Page_List