Polling Average
30%20%10%0%
15.8%
25.5%
24.4%
12%
Republican
Kendall Qualls
Republican candidate for Governor in Minnesota
Republican
Kendall Qualls
Republican candidate for Governor in Minnesota
Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
$1.3M
AUG 18, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$1.3MAUG 18, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Army veteran
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationMinnesota
Show moreShow less
BackgroundU.S. Army veteran
Notable personal detailsKendall Qualls is an American Republican politician and former U.S. Army veteran who has run for elected office in Minnesota, including U.S. House in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District (2020). He has also been described as a retired health care executive and has been active in Minnesota Republican politics, including running for governor in 2022 and again for 2026.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govcbsnews.comstartribune.comlinkedin.comen.wikipedia.orgmn.electionarchives.lib.umn.eduabetterminnesota.orgbloomingtonoptimists.orgwikidata.orgivoterguide.comkendallcoyne.commngop.comtransparencyusa.orgnotcommon.comportal.newspapercontest.comdfl.orgarxiv.orgnrsc.orgcookpolitical.comkendallschool.comgovinfo.govreddit.comkqformn.comalbertleatribune.comkttc.comnewsmax.comalphanews.orggunowners.mnkendallqualls.comkendallfinancialsolutions.comkendalltaxpreparer.comkendallaccountingandtax.comkendallcountyil.govkendallad.orgtaxesandaplan.commetrobclub.orgminnesotareformer.commprnews.orgnorthernnewsnow.comfox9.comkstp.comtwincities.comvalleynewslive.comsahanjournal.comminnpost.comnpr.orgkeyc.comtime.comyoutube.comfacebook.comkare11.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govjudiciary.senate.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orghistory.house.govnga.orgernst.senate.gov
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 12, 2026
Kendall Qualls is in the news because he is running in the crowded Minnesota Republican governor primary. GOP delegates endorsed him, and he later picked Brian Nicholson as his running mate. Recent coverage says the race is still unsettled, with turnout and undecided voters likely to play a big role as Qualls competes against Mike Lindell and Lisa Demuth.
fec.gov+63
Articles
SPSt. Paul Pioneer Press4 months ago
Klobuchar easily outpaces Republicans in first-quarter fundraising
Neutral
ADAustin Daily Herald5 months ago
Republican Qualls picks fellow businessman Nicholson to fill out Minne...
Positive
F9FOX 95 days ago
Minnesota primary 2025: What's at stake in Tuesday's most competitive races
Neutral
ADAustin Daily Herald2 months ago
House Speaker Lisa Demuth to run in GOP primary for governor
Positive
Latest Polls
Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Kendall Qualls currently averages 15.8%, ranking third in this race, 8.6 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 15.8%Position: thirdMargin: -8.6 ptsLatest poll: 17.0% (Jul 29 - Aug 4)Polls included: 8
Average recalculated from polls through Jul 29 - Aug 4.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
2Minnesota Republican Governor nominee?
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total 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