Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for governor Tuesday, defeating former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who had President Donald Trump's endorsement, and party-backed candidate Kendall Qualls. She was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2018 to represent District 13A, which includes Cold Spring and St. Joseph in Stearns County. Demuth rose through House Republican leadership over the next several years, serving as assistant minority leader from 2021 to 2023 before becoming House Republican leader in 2023, as Democrats held full control of the governor's office and both legislative chambers. Ahead of the 2024 election, Demuth helped raise money and recruit candidates for a Republican push to break the Democratic trifecta. The party flipped three swing districts that November, leaving the Minnesota House tied 67-67 between the parties.