Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, the state’s top Republican lawmaker, announced that she will seek the GOP nomination to challenge Governor Tim Walz in the 2026 election. Walz is pursuing an unprecedented third four-year term as governor.If Demuth wins, she would make history as Minnesota’s first female governor — and the first Republican to capture a statewide office in nearly two decades.

The House speaker joins an increasingly crowded Republican primary field that already includes Dr. Scott Jensen, the party’s 2022 nominee, along with business owner and Army veteran Kendall Qualls.

State Rep. Kristin Robbins, who chairs the legislature’s GOP-led anti-fraud committee, is also vying for the nomination.

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“I believe that we’ll be able to build a better and a stronger Minnesota here together. Businesses need to be able to succeed in what they’re doing and to be able to grow here in our state, families should be able to thrive. Our kids deserve an excellent education, and all Minnesotans need to be able to succeed,” Demuth told local outlet WCCO before she officially announced her bid for governor.

Whoever emerges as the Republican nominee will face a steep challenge against Walz, whose strong name recognition and deep fundraising network give him a clear advantage.