Demuth won

Trump-backed Mike Lindell loses Minnesota GOP primary for governor

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the Republican nomination.

Andrew Howard

State House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the GOP primary for Minnesota governor on Tuesday, knocking off President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate, former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.

It’s a major loss for Trump given his close relationship to Lindell, who has been one of the president’s staunchest defenders — especially regarding his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen.

Demuth, a more moderate Republican than Lindell, will face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who faced no serious primary opposition, in November.

Republicans are bullish that a fraud scandal under Democratic Gov. Tim Walz gives them an opening in the blue-leaning state. Demuth’s win over Lindell could give them a better candidate to make that argument, though Klobuchar’s dominant performance in previous statewide elections and a national climate favorable to Democrats will be tough to overcome.