Demuth, 59, Will Now Face Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in November's General Election

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for governor on Tuesday, defeating MyPillow founder and Trump loyalist Mike Lindell, according to the Associated Press. Demuth, 59, will now face Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in November's general election. Klobuchar secured a decisive victory in her party's primary.

Both are seeking to replace Democratic Governor Tim Walz, who chose not to seek a third term and said he would focus on combating fraud in state programs during the remainder of his tenure. Demuth, who presides over a state House nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, campaigned on her ability to work across party lines. She said she is the Republican best equipped to end the party's more than two-decade losing streak in gubernatorial elections.

Lindell, who received former President Trump's endorsement last month, faced questions from some state Republican leaders about his electoral viability, residency, and business record. He actively supported Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen while attempting to help the president overturn the vote. Some Republicans worried Lindell's association with Trump would hurt them in the general election; Trump lost Minnesota in all three of his presidential campaigns.

Demuth also held a significant fundraising advantage in the race. She campaigned on confronting Walz in state budget negotiations and fighting for conservative priorities, saying much of her campaign would focus on combating fraud in state government programs.