Fraud focus as Minnesota looks to replace Walz
By Andrew Rice | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Voters in Minnesota will head to the polls Tuesday to select nominees for governor.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he would not seek reelection for a third time after reports of fraud in federal programs emerged in the state and the Trump administration began to pursue prosecutions.
In Walz’ place, several candidates on both the Republican and Democratic tickets are vying for the governor’s mansion. The governor and lieutenant governor run on a single ticket in Minnesota for both the primary and general elections
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., stepped into the race and appears to be the Democrat Party’s frontrunner. She has focused her campaign on fighting back against fraud in the state and distancing herself from Walz.
Klobuchar announced significant anti-fraud efforts and said she would conduct “top-to-bottom” inspections of federal programs in Minnesota.
“We want to make sure we’re taking care of the taxpayers’ money, that we are spending that money wisely on things that people need and making things as efficient as possible,” Klobuchar said.
If elected, Klobuchar said she would create a database that blacklists individuals found guilty of fraud from receiving federal funds in other programs. She also said her administration would require more in person visits to businesses receiving federal funds.
“When it comes to running our state, I believe we need discipline, growth and accountability,” Klobuchar said.
Klobuchar is running alongside Ben Schierer, a businessman and the former maor of Fergus Falls.
Three Republican candidates are in the lead for the party’s nomination. Former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Minnesota Rep. Lisa Demuth and Kendall Qualls want the nomination.
Demuth has aggressively pursued cracking down on fraud as well. Her fraud plan would designate Ryan Wilson, her lieutenant governor, to head oversight of spending in the state’s executive agencies as his main priority.
Demuth also proposed centralizing all services in a single, state-run agency to enhance coordination and collaboration between federal and state partners.
“Eligibility determination is a burden that we put on our counties that often ends up as an unfunded mandate,” Demuth said. “We can achieve cost savings through centralization and modernization with better compliance and oversight.”
She also promised to sign a bill that would create an Office of the Inspector General in Minnesota to oversee federal agencies and welfare programs. Similarly to Klobuchar, Demuth said she would increase the number of unannounced inspections where federal funds are received.
Mike Lindell, who stepped down from his position as CEO of MyPillow, has also called for independent audits of state agencies and businesses that receive federal funds.
Lindell has touted his record as a successful businessman and promised greater economic returns. If elected, he would push for expanded trade and technical skills education to support the growing workforce.
“Mike will connect young people and mid‑career workers directly into high‑demand careers in construction, skilled trades, healthcare, logistics, and technology,” Lindell’s website reads.
President Donald Trump endorsed. However, Lindell’s qualifications to run in the primary have undergone recent scrutiny as the Minnesota GOP examines whether he lives in the state.
Republican Party Chairman Alex Plecash asked the Minnesota Secretary of State to clarify whether Lindell’s residency records are accurate. Lindell said he has pay stubs to prove he has been working and paying taxes in Minnesota since August 2025.
A previous residence in Texas drew scrutiny toward the former CEO. Lindell is running alongside former GOP governor candidate Phillip Parrish.
Lindell has appeared as the frontrunner in the Republican race. However, Kendall Qualls, a nonprofit president, received an endorsement from the Minnesota Republican Party.
Qualls also supported efforts to pursue fraud and mandate regular checks of federal programs. He also called for policies to grow the economy and criticized Democrat leadership in the state.
“If we are going to fix the budget Democrats destroyed, we need a proven leader who understands how to build, manage, and grow,” Qualls’ website reads. “If we are going to take back our streets and restore excellence in our classrooms, we need a candidate with a conservative backbone and a commitment to law and order.”
Qualls is running alongside Brian Nicholson, a chief financial officer at Advanced Volumetric Alliance.
Klobuchar has a massive fundraising advantage over other candidates in the race with more than $7 million raised since she announced her candidacy in January. Qualls received more than $600,000 in direct contributions, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Demuth had more than $400,000 in donations and Lindell had $352,000.
Polls in Minnesota will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 11. For more information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State at sos.mn.gov. For early results on Election Day, visit thecentersquare.com/minnesota.