Amy Klobuchar and Republican contenders share stage at Farmfest to debate Minnesota governor's race
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar and three Republican contenders—Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, and retired health care executive Kendall Qualls—shared a stage at Farmfest to address the state's agricultural community. The forum highlighted a divide between Klobuchar’s bipartisan legislative record and the Republicans' desire for a culture change in state government. Klobuchar pitched her history of service and promised to put "Minnesota first," while criticizing the Republican candidates for being "rubber stamps" for President Trump. In contrast, the Republican candidates emphasized their outsider status and pro-business agendas. Kendall Qualls and Mike Lindell both advocated for eliminating the state's income tax and criticized the Walz administration for state program fraud. The candidates also debated immigration, with the Republicans pledging support for the administration's policies. Klobuchar criticized the Republicans for their silence on the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were allegedly killed by federal agents. The forum served as a final high-profile appearance before the primary election.