Republican State Rep. Peggy Bennett was left unable to file paperwork to run for Minnesota governor after her chosen running mate, GOP State Rep. Elliott Engen, decided to run for reelection to his seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
In an exclusive statement to Alpha News, Bennett said “it is with great sadness and heartbreak that I announce that I am unable to move forward as a candidate for governor, and my 2026 campaign has ended. This is not by my choice.”
Bennett went on to explain that she had a lieutenant governor pick who “had been a willing partner” and was “waiting in the wings to be announced,” but that running mate “changed his mind” hours before Tuesday’s deadline to file for office.
“He told me that he had other potential options in a different state,” Bennett said. “Without a lieutenant governor candidate to file with me, and with no time to contact anyone else, my campaign was essentially shut down at 5PM on Tuesday.”
Bennett was seeking the Republican nomination for governor of Minnesota and had previously said she would run in the August GOP primary.
In a phone call with Alpha News, Bennett confirmed that her running mate pick was State Rep. Elliott Engen. Bennett said she is not “out to bash” Engen. She said she is just “being truthful about what happened.”
Bennett said she was shocked that Engen withdrew that “late in the game” and it essentially left her with no options and she was unable to file for governor.
“I am incredibly disappointed in this legislative colleague,” Bennett said in her statement. “I was under the impression that he was ready to go. Unknown to me, he filed on Tuesday to run for his old House seat and primary the endorsed GOP candidate for the seat.”
On Tuesday, Engen filed to run for House District 36A, his current seat in the Minnesota Legislature. Sebastian Stoss is the GOP-endorsed candidate for the seat. Stoss’ campaign told Alpha News it is “disappointing” that Elliott is running in the primary.
In a statement to Alpha News, Engen said “Peggy is a terrific servant leader, and I wish I could be the partner she deserves in a Lt. Gov. Unfortunately, this was not in the best interest of my family.”
“Like so many other young families across our state, we aren’t in the financial position to have logistically made this work,” he added.
“For a leader like Peggy to have considered me for this position, is truly humbling, and I hope someday our political system elevates voices like Rep. Bennett’s and turns away from coronating lukewarm conservative candidates,” Engen continued.
Alpha News asked Engen about Bennett’s reference to Engen having “other potential options in another state.”
Engen said, “I’m a Minnesotan. This is my home. November’s outcome determines if that remains the case. Because at some point, it becomes parental negligence to subject your kids to the destructive policies that Democrats are gleefully pushing, that have left our schools, streets, and State Capitol in ruin.”
Regarding the Republican primary in House District 36A, Engen said, “During my time in politics, I’ve only ever been one thing: not a status-quo politician. I call out both parties, tell people what I believe, and let the chips fall where they may.”
“I’m by no means perfect, but I think voters appreciate authenticity,” he added. “On August 11th, we’ll find out for sure.”
UPDATE: Information from the Minnesota Secretary of State shows that Engen has withdrawn his candidacy for House District 36A.
Stoss released a statement in response, saying, “I am grateful for the work Rep. Elliott Engen has done for our district in the House, and I hope to follow him in being a strong voice for the next generation of conservatives in the MN House.”
In his own statement, Engen said he was blessed to represent his community, but criticized “the echo-chamber in St. Paul,” saying, “the priorities of special interests and the political class, far often, were put before those of the working class back in our districts.”
He concluded, saying, “The institution needs reform, and while I’m by no means perfect, I am proud to say I fought for that reform during my time in St. Paul. Now it’s time I focus on the people I knew would be a constant in a political world full of variables, my wife and son.”
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.
