Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
9.9%
19.6%
18.2%
12%
Republican
Kendall Qualls
Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
$155.7K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Army veteran (officer; reported)
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationMinnesota
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BackgroundU.S. Army veteran (officer; reported)
EducationUniversity of Michigan (MBA; reported)
Notable personal detailsKendall Qualls is a Minnesota Republican candidate and U.S. Army veteran who has run for Minnesota governor and for Congress in Minnesota’s 3rd District. He founded the nonprofit TakeCharge Minnesota and has been involved with conservative public-policy commentary through Project 21. He has worked as an executive in the healthcare/healthcare-technology sector.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govkendallqualls.comnationalcenter.orgmprnews.orgcbsnews.comdfl.orgstartribune.comaxios.comtransparencyusa.orgalbertleatribune.comen.wikipedia.orginforum.comapnews.comkqformn.comkttc.comnewsmax.comabetterminnesota.orgalphanews.orggunowners.mnkendallfinancialsolutions.comkendalltaxpreparer.comkendallaccountingandtax.comkendallcountyil.govkendallad.orgtaxesandaplan.commetrobclub.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgballotready.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgclerk.house.govnga.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvotesmart.orgjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.govcongress.govhistory.house.govdurbin.senate.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.
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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 updatedJun 1, 2026
Kendall Qualls is in the news as a Republican candidate in the Minnesota governor race. He recently picked Brian Nicholson as his running mate and has been emphasizing their business backgrounds as political newcomers. More recently, his campaign also reported fundraising totals as the race continues to take shape.
fec.gov+39
Articles
SPSt. Paul Pioneer Press2 months ago
Klobuchar easily outpaces Republicans in first-quarter fundraising
Neutral
ADAustin Daily Herald3 months ago
Republican Qualls picks fellow businessman Nicholson to fill out Minne...
Positive
NNewsweek4 months ago
Republicans’ Chances of Beating Amy Klobuchar to Flip Minnesota-Poll
Neutral
Polls
Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements