MINNEAPOLIS — A politically conservative Minneapolis lawyer, Ron Schutz, a Republican, declared his candidacy for state attorney general. The position is one of only five statewide elected offices. Incumbent Keith Ellison, attorney general since 2019, hasn’t announced his intentions for the November 2026 ballot. In announcing Schutz took aim at Ellison, promising to be “tough on crime” and to restore integrity to the office. Schutz pointed to his record as a former U.S. Army lawyer who tried 20 felony jury trials. He is former chair and current board member of the Center of the American Experiment. He chaired Governor Tim Pawlenty’s 2012 presidential campaign. This year Schutz was listed by Forbes amagazine as one of 250 top U.S. lawyers. Schutz prides himself an outdoorsman and skydives. He’s believed to be 69 years old but sidesteps age as issue in his campaign literature. For months he’s been on Minnesota political observers’ short lists for the GOP nomination, along with:
2014 Minnesota magazine cover. Also on Forbes magazine’s 250 national rankings.
> Joseph Thompson, until recently the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota.
> Ryan Wilson, who lost a 2022 bid for state auditor.
> Tad Jude, a former legislator, judge and Hennepin County Board member.
> Harry Niska, a state legislator who ran briefly for attorney general in 2017.