Minnesota Republicans are meeting in Duluth today for the second day of their state convention. The main event of the day will be endorsing a candidate to run against U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the gubernatorial race.
The candidates seeking the endorsement for governor are House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman Kendall Qualls, former CEO Patrick Knight, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, State Rep. Peggy Bennett, former Navy intelligence officer Phillip Parrish, and John Krhin.
— 11:56am —
Lisa Demuth just finished speaking. She is the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Demuth was introduced by GOP State Rep. Walter Hudson and Ryan Wilson. Wilson is Demuth’s choice for lieutenant governor.
There was big applause when Demuth took the stage — the loudest applause for any candidate so far.
Demuth said she is the only candidate that’s “a tested fighter and proven winner.” She said her leadership ended DFL control of state government.
She talked about how she cut state government spending and removed illegal aliens from a Minnesota healthcare program.
Demuth said she would end “the rampant fraud” and “oppressively high taxes.”
Lisa Demuth just finished speaking. She is the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Demuth was introduced by GOP State Rep. Walter Hudson and Ryan Wilson. Wilson is Demuth's choice for lieutenant governor.
There was big applause when Demuth took the stage — the… pic.twitter.com/z3FzFYKeA7
— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 30, 2026
— 11:40am —
Mike Lindell just finished speaking. He is the founder of MyPillow. Lindell opened his presentation with a video of old clips of President Donald Trump praising Lindell.
Lindell walked onto stage while “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John played over the speakers.
Lindell talked about his past addiction and building MyPillow. He also said he spent millions on helping others out of addiction.
He also talked about the “lawfare” he has faced and said he “will never give up.”
Lindell said he is not abiding by the endorsement. He cited polling data in that decision and was critical of the endorsement process.
He called Lisa Demuth “the establishment choice.”
Lindell said he can win and he can raise money. He asked the delegates for their endorsement.
Mike Lindell just finished speaking. He is the founder of MyPillow. Lindell opened his presentation with a video of old clips of President Donald Trump praising Lindell.
Lindell walked onto stage while "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John played over the speakers.
Lindell talked… pic.twitter.com/LaLTkVSImd
— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 30, 2026
— 11:24am —
Phillip Parrish just finished addressing the convention. He is a former Navy intelligence officer.
Parrish opened with a prayer. In his remarks, he said “a criminal syndicate has had a boot on our neck for too long.”
He slammed Democrats and Republicans in power during his speech.
Phillip Parrish just finished addressing the convention. He is a former Navy intelligence officer.
Parrish opened with a prayer. In his remarks, he said "a criminal syndicate has had a boot on our neck for too long."
He slammed Democrats and Republicans in power during his… pic.twitter.com/AzbCOMbJII
— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 30, 2026
— 11:16am —
John Krhin just finished speaking to the convention. He is an ordained minister.
Krhin said God called him to run for governor of Minnesota on the day Charlie Kirk was assassinated.
He criticized former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” and said Minnesota has failed to accept that God rules in the affairs of men.
Krhin criticized the fraud in the state and said it is worse than most have heard. He said he is calling for an investigation into the fraud and it could amount to $40 billion.
He asked the convention: “Do you hear the call?” Then a horn played over the speakers. The Battle Hymn of the Republic played as he ended his remarks.
John Krhin just finished speaking to the convention. He is an ordained minister.
Krhin said God called him to run for governor of Minnesota on the day Charlie Kirk was assassinated.
He criticized former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" and said Minnesota has… pic.twitter.com/tAhvRHJ9Ys
— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 30, 2026
— 11:00am —
Patrick Knight is addressing the convention. He is a former U.S. Marine and CEO.
Knight says Amy Klobuchar is “beatable.” He said the status quo in Minnesota is “planted firmly on the left,” and Minnesotans want change.
Knight says Minnesota does not need a “politician,” and instead needs a leader who “will turn this state around.”
He said he will fight for people that want accountability for the fraud that has gone on in the state. He said the Republicans need to lead the state.
Knight said he is a “steady conservative.”
Patrick Knight is addressing the convention. He is a former U.S. Marine and CEO.
Knight says Amy Klobuchar is "beatable." He said the status quo in Minnesota is "planted firmly on the left," and Minnesotans want change.
Knight says Minnesota does not need a "politician," and… pic.twitter.com/339pNOb5ei
— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 30, 2026
— 10:40am —
The convention is about to hear from candidates for governor. Each candidate will be given 15 minutes to address the convention.
— 10:25am —
Big applause when Lisa Demuth’s name was invoked by State Rep. Harry Niska during his speech. The response from the crowd could be an indicator of Demuth’s strength with the delegates.
— 10:23am —
Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and members of his caucus addressed the convention.
State Rep. Harry Niska, the deputy leader of the GOP Caucus in the Minnesota House of Representatives, is addressing the convention now.
The House GOP Caucus got a standing ovation from the crowd and a lot of applause. House Republicans were responsible for blocking many DFL priorities in the Minnesota Legislature this year.
The endorsement process for governor should begin shortly.
— 9:43am —
The convention announced there are 2,191 delegates and alternates who have checked in to vote today. That is the total voting strength of the convention.
Convention Chair Danny Nadeau announced that they will begin handing out the electronic clickers. He said that process could take an hour.
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach is addressing the convention now.
— 9:38am —
The convention just voted to stand and observe a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin. The moment of silence was observed immediately after that vote and was brief.
— 9:14am —
There appears to be a lot more Demuth signs and volunteers than the other campaigns. Phillip Parrish and Lisa Demuth were greeting people in the lobby as they entered.
— 9:08am —
Day two of the Minnesota Republican state convention is here. Delegates are currently filing into the convention hall.
The convention will begin with a new credentials report to establish a quorum and count the number of seated delegates.
The endorsement for governor should be begin after that. That endorsement could go for many rounds, and we could be in for a long day.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
