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Rochester Hosts 3 Minnesota Republicans in Governor's Debate
Candidates said lower taxes and tighter oversight are needed to improve business growth and curb long-running state fraud.
- On Thursday, May 21, 2026, three GOP gubernatorial candidates—Kendall Qualls, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, and Patrick Knight—participated in a debate at Century High School in Rochester, addressing taxes, regulation, guns, mental health, welfare dependency, and education policy.
- Candidates argued that Minnesota's tax rates and excessive mandates drive businesses away from the state. Demuth claimed recent mandates like paid family medical leave are 'not sustainable or affordable for businesses.'
- Qualls criticized government fraud, noting it 'doesn't linger for 10 years' in the private sector, while Demuth cited 64 mandates placed on schools in 2023 and noted that before COVID, more than 60% of Minnesota students performed at grade level.
- To secure the party's first trifecta since 1969, Qualls stated this approach is 'how you make it possible to lower taxes' while campaigning for House and Senate candidates.
- Organizers did not invite MyPillow founder Mike Lindell to the forum because he has not promised to abide by the party's endorsing process, ahead of Minnesota's August 11 primary election.
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GOP governor candidates debated in Rochester Thursday; Here are their answers to 3 questions
ROCHESTER — Three GOP gubernatorial candidates — businessman Kendall Qualls, House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Patrick Knight — participated in a debate Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Century High School in Rochester, weighing in on issues ranging from taxes and regulation, to guns and mental health to reducing welfare dependency and education policy. MyPillow founder Mike Lindell was not invited to the forum, because he has not promised to …
·Fargo, United States
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left0Leaning Right8Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Right
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Right
57% Right
C 43%
R 57%
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