Tuesday’s results set up what is expected to be a fierce general election between Demuth and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The primary became a proxy fight for political influence between President Donald Trump and the Minnesota Republican Party as it took shape over the summer. AdvertisementThe Minnesota Republican Party quickly expressed its wariness of Trump’s bullish stance on Lindell. Candidates for Minnesota governor, from left, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, and Kendall Qualls participate in a forum at Farmfest, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Morgan, Minnesota. Lindell and Demuth consistently polled ahead of Qualls among Republican voters, though most recent surveys had Lindell beating Demuth in the weeks leading up to the primary.