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Brad Kohler

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Republican

Brad Kohler

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Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?

$410.2K

AUG 12, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

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Overview

Current roleRetired professional mixed martial artist

PartyRepublican

Political ideologyConservative Republican

Age62 years old (May 26, 1964)

GenderMale

LocationMinnesota

BackgroundRetired professional mixed martial artist

Notable personal detailsBradley Kohler is an American retired professional mixed martial artist (UFC veteran) and businessman who has run for public office in Minnesota. He was the Republican nominee for Minnesota Senate District 38 in 2022 and lost in the general election. He has announced a campaign for Governor of Minnesota and has identified Shauna Breyer as his lieutenant governor running mate on his campaign website.

SourcesShow

bradkohler.com mn.electionarchives.lib.umn.edu en.wikipedia.org sherdog.com kttc.com nga.org cbsnews.com nujournal.com transparencyusa.org mnhd66brepublicans.org axios.com decisionlabs.ai aclu-mn.org candidates.sos.mn.gov bhfs.com nrsc.org sawyercounty.gov reddit.com bemidjipioneer.com dl-online.com crowdfund.umn.edu cfb.mn.gov congress.gov health.state.mn.us mprnews.org tabkeformn.com signalhire.com idcrawl.com osobnosti.cz veripages.com martialbot.com ballotready.org finstad.house.gov facebook.com instagram.com kstp.com startribune.com newsweek.com alphanews.org mshale.com action4liberty.com predictionedge.com ivoterguide.com ballotpedia.org fec.gov history.house.gov govinfo.gov wikidata.org clerk.house.gov

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Brad Kohler’s campaign calls for eliminating the state personal and business income taxes, reducing property taxes, and cutting vehicle registration (car tabs) to $99. He also advocates reducing regulations, cutting government waste, and prioritizing reduced government spending and fiscal transparency. Kohler frames these policies as measures to make Minnesota more affordable and to spur business growth.

Immigration & Border

The candidate emphasizes enforcing the rule of law and says Minnesota should be a place where "legal and responsible residents" are respected and protected; his campaign also prioritizes strengthening law enforcement. Public materials focus on law-and-order framing rather than expanded legal pathways or protections for asylum seekers.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Opposes abortion in nearly all circumstances and seeks to stop new abortion clinics; supports defunding Planned Parenthood and says emergency decisions to save the baby or mother’s life should be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Public Safety & Guns

The candidate says he will strengthen law enforcement to reduce violent crime while upholding Second Amendment rights. Public statements and campaign materials emphasize support for law enforcement and protecting gun rights rather than proposing new gun restrictions.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedFeb 10, 2026

Brad Kohler is listed among Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination for Minnesota governor in 2026. A new poll shows Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar leading Kohler and other Republican rivals by double digits. Kohler and other GOP candidates have expressed skepticism about the poll’s results.

bradkohler.com+48

Articles

NNewsweek6 months ago