MEDINA, Minn. — Former healthcare executive Kendall Qualls and state House Speaker Lisa Demuth lead a crowded Republican can field for governor. This was according to a non-binding preference poll at a weekend meeting of the state GOP Central Committee. Alex Plechash, state party chair, called the poll “a snapshot of where engaged party leaders stand.” So far there has been no meaningful challenger among Democrats to incumbent Democratic Governor Walz. The GOP ranking:
> Qualls: 93
> Demuth: 90
> Lindell: 49
> Madel: 41
> Parrish: 19
> Robbins: 13
> Jensen: 8
> Undecided: 8
> Knight: 7
> Johnson: 4
> Abstain: 2
> Kohler: 1