Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth won their primaries on Tuesday, setting up a historic all-woman race for Minnesota governor in November.
Klobuchar and her running mate Ben Schierer tallied nearly 90% of Tuesday's vote according to data from the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. Demuth and her running mate, Ryan Wilson, captured nearly 44% of the vote in the GOP race.
“We began this campaign nine months ago. And the thing I’ve heard over and over from Minnesotans from all walks of life is that people are ready for a fresh start,” Demuth said in a statement. “The Walz/Klobuchar status quo simply isn’t working. The Minnesota we all know and love is slipping away.”
Klobuchar said she would focus on "results, not excuses" moving forward.
“Minnesotans expect leaders who deliver results, not excuses. I am running for governor to lower costs and make life affordable, expand our economy with a growth agenda, and root out the fraud,” Klobuchar said. “I’ll take on the hard fights for our state, and I won’t wait to take action to improve people’s lives.”
Demuth's victory Tuesday came as a blow to Trump-endorsed candidate Mike Lindell who finished a distant second. Lindell, a staunch denier of the 2020 election results, appeared to cast doubt on Tuesday's results.
"When you're favored three days ago by nine points, this is mathematically, it looks impossible," Lindell said.
GOP-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls finished third.
“Republicans fought hard in this primary because the future of Minnesota matters. Tonight that competition ends. We are united behind Lisa and Ryan, and we are thrilled to help make Lisa Demuth the next Governor of Minnesota," wrote Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash. “Lisa has the character, toughness and leadership this moment demands. She hasn’t governed by press release or watched Minnesota’s problems from Washington — she has been in the arena, taking on the DFL at the Capitol, fighting for taxpayers and demanding accountability."
Flanagan defeats Craig, Tafoya wins big
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the DFL Senate primary, defeating Rep. Angie Craig. The Republican side was won by former television sports reporter, Michele Tafoya.
“Michele offers a different direction: stop the fraud, secure the border, cut taxes, lower costs, protect girls’ sports and restore common sense," Plechash wrote following Tafoya's win.
A Republican has not been elected to the U.S. Senate from Minnesota since Norm Coleman in 2002.
