Former WCCO Radio host Cory Hepola has announced he is running for Governor of the state of Minnesota.
Hepola announced that he will run under the Forward Party, an independent party formed by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Sources tell WCCO Radio that Hepola will be the first candidate to run a campaign under Yang's Forward Party.
In a text sent to WCCO Radio, Hepola says that he is looking forward to uniting the state.
"For 3 years I was blessed with the opportunity to listen and engage with people from all over Minnesota. Hosting at WCCO [Radio] was an enormous responsibility, one that prepared me to serve as a uniting Champion for all Minnesotans. We will lead a new, healthy path forward, together."
Born in Perham, Hepola has spent most of his career in media working in TV. Hepola came to KARE 11 in 2015 after spending time in Houston as a sports anchor. While at KARE 11, he won two Emmy awards, one for Best Anchor and the other for Best Sports Anchor. He left KARE for WCCO Radio in 2019 to host "Hey, It's Cory Hepola" from 9am to noon each weekday. Hepola was recognized by Twin Cities Business as "Twin Cities Business 100: People To Know in 2020."
Hepola will join a crowded field looking to win the Governor's race. Incumbent Governor Tim Walz will run as the DFL candidate, while names like Dr. Scott Jensen, Paul Gazelka, Kendall Qualls, Rich Stanek and MIchelle Benson all vie for the GOP nomination.