Lisa Demuth, the highest-ranking Republican at Minnesota’s Capitol, set her sights Sunday on a higher office by declaring herself a candidate for governor.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth marked her entrance with a campaign video in which she said she would strive to make Minnesota a place where families and businesses can thrive. She joins a crowded field of Republicans aiming to take on Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and in that video says she and other Minnesotans have had enough.

Monday marks one year from the 2026 election. Walz is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive, four-year term. To make November’s ballot, Demuth will first have to navigate a Republican Party endorsing convention next May and possibly a primary in August.

Ahead of her formal launch, Demuth predicted in an interview with MPR News that Minnesota was ready for new leadership after what will be eight years under Walz.

“This is an opportunity in 2026 to really change our state for the better,” Demuth said. “We’ve seen over the last number of years with a squandering of a surplus, a record surplus of $18 billion. We’ve seen our taxes and fees under one-party, Democrat control just go through the roof.”

She promoted steps taken during her time atop the House — she became speaker less than 10 months ago — to start to turn the tide.

“As speaker with a tie in the House, we were able to deliver the largest spending reduction in state history of $5 billion,” Demuth said. “As governor, I want to do more for the state of Minnesota.”

Demuth, 58, became speaker under a power-sharing agreement in the tied chamber. The late House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman struck the deal to hand over the gavel in exchange for equal representation and co-chair positions on almost all House committees. Demuth is the first person of color and first Republican woman to hold the role, though she’s shied away from speaking about that.

Demuth, of Cold Spring, has represented a central Minnesota district in the House since 2019 and was elected GOP minority leader in 2022. Prior to that, she served 11 years on an area school board.

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She said her top campaign priorities include lowering taxes, improving educational outcomes for students and combatting fraud in state government programs. 

Demuth could distinguish herself in the race by stressing her role in forging a new state budget opposite legislative Democrats and Walz. But fellow gubernatorial candidates were quick to use that against her.

Fellow GOP candidate for governor Rep. Kristin Robbins called Demuth a friend but said “there’s no appetite for a Republican who sides with Tim Walz on raising taxes and making our streets less safe.”

“Lisa Demuth agreed to a backroom budget deal that raised taxes and shut down the Stillwater prison with no plan which will result in releasing criminals back into our communities,” Robbins continued in a news release.

Demuth sees her current role as an asset.

“I am the strongest candidate because I’m the only one that has ever negotiated across the table with Governor Walz,” Demuth said. “I’m the only one that has led as speaker, and I have a proven track record of being able to work together and get things done for Minnesota.”

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The Republican field so far also includes state Robbins, former state Sen. Scott Jensen, businessman Kendall Qualls, ex-martial arts fighter Brad Kohler, former Navy officer Phillip Parrish and former St. Cloud city council member Jeff Johnson. Others have suggested they’re considering it. Walz is running unopposed so far for the DFL endorsement.

Democrats and progressive groups said that Demuth was out of step with Minnesotans’ priorities and would align with the Trump administration’s policies.

“As speaker, she’s shown Minnesota exactly what she’ll prioritize. She’ll cut taxes for massive corporations while cutting funding for schools and seniors. She’ll protect tax loopholes for her donors while opposing relief for workers and middle-class families,” Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Chair Richard Carlbom said.

“Lisa Demuth is the corporate candidate in this race,” Carlbom added. “If Lisa Demuth and the billionaires win, Minnesotans lose.”

The move to run for higher office comes ahead of the 2026 legislative session, when Demuth will have to run the House and negotiate legislation with Democrats again, including with Walz. She said she’ll aim to keep the campaign outside the Capitol but also noted that all constitutional offices, along with Minnesota’s 201 legislative seats, will be on the ballot next year.

Minnesota hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2006, when they sent then Gov. Tim Pawlenty to a second term. Demuth said she feels confident that she can break the streak, even against the trend of the party in control of the White House facing a tougher climb in the midterms. 

Demuth said she’s seeking the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement in the race and said she was disappointed that other candidates signaled they’d move to a primary election if they didn’t get it.

She also said she will seek the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Demuth said the president has delivered on campaign promises like securing the borders and brokering peace deals. 

She said 2024 election results previewed a desire for new leadership.

“Minnesota voters really did send that message of, ‘We need something different here,’ so we’re in a unique position,” Demuth said. “The other thing is, with Governor Walz choosing to run for a third term, that is unusual. And so I think that sets us up for a very good outcome in ‘26 for the state.”

Fellow GOP candidates have signaled that they’re willing to fight it out through a primary.

Jensen has said that he’s in the campaign for the long haul and wouldn’t budge if other candidates enter the race. He has said he’ll pursue a primary if he doesn’t receive the GOP endorsement. Robbins has said she’ll remain in the race, “as long as I’m the best candidate to beat Tim Walz.”