LISTEN: Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth’s interview with Scott Hennen and Kevin Flynn
MINNESOTA – While on The Flag discussing her campaign for Minnesota Governor, Republican Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth said she’s the only candidate in the race who sat across the table from Governor Tim Walz and negotiated.
“I have proven that I am a leader that has solid conservative values. I have the best interest for the people of Minnesota, but yet I can work across party lines when it is needed and to get the best results,” Demuth explained.
To begin this year’s legislative session, a power sharing agreement was made between party leaders that would allow Demuth to become speaker in order for DFL State Representative Brad Tabke of Shakopee to be seated. He won his district by 14 votes over Republican Aaron Paul despite 21 ballots going missing.
During a large part of the 2025 session, the Minnesota House was at a tie of 67 Republicans and 67 DFLers.
Demuth said her biggest accomplishments included reducing spending by $5 billion, ending eligibility for undocumented adults for taxpayer-funded MinnesotaCare healthcare and preventing cuts to nonpublic schools.
“The wins that we had for the people of Minnesota with just a tie, that is what I want to take to the full state and deliver more wins and more good things to build on a stronger and even better Minnesota where we can work together,” Demuth said.
In a statement, the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party claims Demuth will “protect hedge funds over health care.”
“As Speaker, she’s shown Minnesota exactly what she’ll prioritize. She’ll cut taxes for massive corporations while cutting funding for schools and seniors,” DFL Party Chairman Richard Carlbom wrote. “She’ll protect tax loopholes for her donors while opposing relief for workers and middle-class families. Lisa Demuth is the corporate candidate in this race. If Lisa Demuth and the billionaires win, Minnesotans lose.”
Other Republicans in the race for governor include 2022 GOP nominee and former state senator Dr. Scott Jensen, State Representative Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove and healthcare technology executive Kendall Qualls.
