ST. PAUL, Minn. — In Republican caucuses statewide, the party faithful favored Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth for governor. As of midnight with 71% of caucus ballots counted, Demuth led easily. Second was former healthcare executive Kendall Qualls. Third was MyPillow entrepreneur Mike Lindell. Caucuses choose delegates to later conventions that eventually decide who ends up on the November ballot, Caucuses are a kind of straw poll. Primary elections in August will winnow out weaker candidates if necessary. The general election is 10 months off in November. Among Democrats it appears that U.S. Senator Am yKlobuchar already has wrapped up the nomination for governor. Other possible candidates backed off when Klobuchar announced her candidacy.
