Patrick Knight, a businessman and retired U.S. Marine, has launched a campaign to become the 42nd governor of Minnesota. Knight joins a Republican field of gubernatorial candidates hoping to defeat Gov. Tim Walz next year.
“Costs are going up, our economy is stagnating, schools are lagging and our streets are less safe,” Knight says on his website. “More and more Minnesotans are struggling. It’s time to get back on track.”
A graduate of Harvard University and Georgetown University Law Center, Knight grew up in Plymouth and spent 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He has spent most of his career working in agribusiness and serves as CEO of Good Sense Foods.
In his campaign announcement video, Knight did not mention Walz by name and avoided making any overt criticisms of the DFL governor. Instead, Knight said “state leadership” had “lost its way” and “taken their eyes off our North Star.”
Speaking about Minnesota’s productivity, workforce, and the opportunities available in the North Star State, Knight said, “We’re doing our part, let’s get a governor that does his.”
Among his priorities, Knight wants Minnesota to “rank among the Top 10 in GDP, job, and wage growth.” Additionally, the Republican candidate wants Minnesota to be a place where “everyone feels safe in their community,” more students meet grade-level standards, and “a young couple can afford to buy a home and start a family.”
Knight joins a growing field of Republican candidates that includes businessman Kendall Qualls, former State Sen. Scott Jensen, State Rep. Kristin Robbins, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Jeff Johnson, Phillip Parish, and Brad Kohler.
The number of Republican candidates is expected to grow further. Attorney Chris Madel said he is “strongly considering entering the race after receiving encouragement to run from Republican donors and activists.”
Whoever wins the GOP nomination for governor will face an uphill battle. No Republican has won the Minnesota governorship since Tim Pawlenty won reelection to the office in 2006 by less than one point.
In 2022, Jensen was the GOP nominee for governor and lost to Walz by roughly 8 points.
Walz announced earlier this year that he will seek an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term. Only Rudy Perpich had previously attempted this feat, and he ended up losing to Arne Carlson in 1990.
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.
