Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
9.9%
19.6%
18.2%
12%
Republican
Kendall Qualls
Republican
Kendall Qualls
Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
$167.3K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusiness executive
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationMinnesota
Show moreShow less
BackgroundBusiness executive
Notable personal detailsKendall Qualls is an American businessman, U.S. Army veteran, and conservative nonprofit/advocacy leader in Minnesota. He was the Republican nominee for Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District in 2020 and ran for governor in 2022, seeking the GOP endorsement but losing to Scott Jensen. In 2025, he launched a campaign for Minnesota governor in 2026 and has been publicly associated with TakeCharge Minnesota and Project 21.
SourcesShowHide
cbsnews.commprnews.orgnationalcenter.orgen.wikipedia.orgmn.electionarchives.lib.umn.eduaxios.comelectionline.orgabdpost.comtransparencyusa.orglrl.mn.govivoterguide.comstartribune.comgunowners.mnamericanexperiment.orgk12irc.orgbloomingtonoptimists.orgkendallcountytx.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgportal.newspapercontest.comkqformn.comalbertleatribune.comkttc.comnewsmax.comabetterminnesota.orgalphanews.orgdfl.orgkendallqualls.comkendallfinancialsolutions.comkendalltaxpreparer.comkendallaccountingandtax.comkendallcountyil.govkendallad.orgtaxesandaplan.commetrobclub.orgapnews.comes.wikipedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgvotesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgfec.govnga.orgkennedy.senate.govjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.govdocquery.fec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports significant tax cuts for individuals and businesses, including reducing the state corporate tax rate to 6% and collapsing personal income tax tiers to two rates (3% and 6%), and promoting lower-tax, pro-business policies to spur economic growth.
Healthcare
Emphasizes growing Minnesota’s healthcare sector and research (including Alzheimer’s and dementia) and highlights his career as a healthcare executive, but does not articulate clear positions on Medicare for All, ACA expansion, Medicaid policy, a public option, or market-based health reforms. Public statements available are general and focused on opportunity and research rather than specific policy prescriptions.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
The candidate expresses strong support for federal immigration enforcement and ICE operations in Minnesota and says he would cooperate with the federal administration on enforcement. He frames recent unrest tied to immigration enforcement as a leadership problem in the state and welcomes federal scrutiny of local officials. The positions emphasize tougher enforcement and cooperation with federal agencies rather than expanded legal pathways or asylum protections.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate opposes abortion and describes himself as "100% pro-life." He has expressed support for defunding Planned Parenthood and has been endorsed by anti-abortion groups.
Climate & Energy
Supports expanding energy production and innovation with an emphasis on nuclear power, faster permitting, and pro-business, low-regulation policies to encourage development and jobs. Emphasizes cutting regulatory “waste, fraud and abuse” and lowering taxes to spur economic growth rather than pursuing aggressive emissions-focused measures.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports strong Second Amendment protections, aligning with policies such as permitless/constitutional carry and Stand Your Ground, and opposes additional gun-control measures. He emphasizes supporting law enforcement and tougher public-safety measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedFeb 10, 2026
Kendall Qualls is among the Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination for Minnesota governor in 2026. A new poll shows Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar holding a double-digit lead over each Republican rival, including Qualls. Qualls and other GOP candidates have expressed skepticism about the poll’s results.
cbsnews.com+45
Polls
Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Kendall Qualls for Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
Minnesota Republican Party
Elected official
Minnesota Republican Party endorsed Kendall Qualls for governor at the 2026 state convention.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$51.8K
$38.9K
$25.9K
$13.0K
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$489.84
$51.8K
$61.4K
$2.6K
Cycle 2024
$1.0K
$11.3K
$41.6K
$1.7K
Cycle 2026
$0.00
$0.00
$11.3K
$5.6K
Source: FEC