Republican Quits Minnesota Governor Race, Citing Trump’s Hardline Immigration Agenda

Republican Chris Madel said on Monday that he will end his campaign for Minnesota governor. He said his decision came after he watched how national Republican leaders have backed federal immigration actions in the state.

“I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so,” Madel said in a video posted to X. The message was blunt and direct, and it came as protests grew after two recent deadly shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis.

Madel said he supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement original goals in Operation Metro Surge. But he argued that the operation “has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats” and that people are now afraid to live their daily lives.

He described scenes that many Minnesotans have also reported. Madel pointed to U S citizens who feel they must carry papers to prove their status and to Hispanic and Asian officers who he says “have been pulled over by ICE on pretextual stops.”

Madel is a lawyer. He had recently aided an ICE agent by helping with paperwork so the agent could seek Justice Department legal help. That agent, Jonathan Ross, is the same officer who shot and killed Renee Good earlier this month during an enforcement action in Minneapolis. Madel’s support of Ross drew attention and criticism.

The campaign exit comes after the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37 year old nurse who was shot by a federal agent on January 24. That death set off fresh protests and renewed calls for investigations into how federal agents are carrying out the operation.

Madel also warned that the national party has made it harder for Republicans to win statewide races in Minnesota. He said the party’s stance on these enforcement actions is driving voters away and could cost Republicans future elections.

Both state and federal officials are under pressure to explain what happened in the shootings. Some Republicans in Congress have asked for full and transparent investigations, and local leaders have called for better coordination between federal and state authorities.

Several other Republicans remain in the governor race. Democrats are also watching closely. Senator Amy Klobuchar has filed paperwork that would allow her to run, though she has not yet said whether she will enter the contest.

Featured image via X screengrab