Lisa
Demuth

Demuth publicly called for an end to the U.S. war in Iran, a position that breaks from President Trump. The Star Tribune had first reported this stance on September 24.

Both candidates outlined their public safety proposals in response to ongoing high-profile violence in the Twin Cities area.

Demuth proposed a top-to-bottom state government audit, replacing commissioners and deputy commissioners, tougher penalties, and restrictions on overseas remittances by welfare recipients and fraud convicts.

Demuth reiterated her calls for accountability over government fraud, demanding firings of officials and attacking both Gov. Walz and Klobuchar's records on fraud.

The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis endorsed Demuth, per Minnesota Reformer reporting. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association had not endorsed either candidate as of the report.

The Minnesota GOP, aligned with Demuth's campaign messaging, criticized Klobuchar for lacking a concrete public safety plan as high-profile violence continued in the Twin Cities.

Demuth made remarks calling out what she referred to as a 'Somali gang' in the context of public safety and violence in Minnesota, drawing media attention.

A Morning Consult poll of 1,000 registered voters (Oct. 2–7) put Klobuchar ahead 48% to 39%, with a ±3.1-point margin of error — a larger gap than the September Co/efficient poll.

MinnPost reported on the October 5 Economic Club event, noting both candidates emphasized economic growth. Demuth's fraud proposals and economic agenda were detailed.

Demuth attacked Klobuchar's record on government fraud, accusing Democrats of hypocrisy and urging voters to heed warning signs in Klobuchar's record.

The candidates appeared separately at an Economic Club of Minnesota discussion on October 5, each outlining economic plans. Demuth emphasized fraud, taxes, business growth, and education.

A report highlighted that both Minnesota gubernatorial candidates, Demuth and Klobuchar, are cancer survivors, a personal connection noted amid the campaign.

Demuth and Klobuchar both responded to newly released statewide test scores showing stagnant student achievement, with education emerging as a campaign issue.

Demuth's public-safety plan included a 'three strikes' rule limiting early release for violent offenders, increased penalties for certain offenses including fleeing police, more school-safety funding, and a searchable database of judges' sentencing decisions.

Klobuchar and Demuth agreed to a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce debate in the Brainerd area scheduled for 9–10:30 a.m. on October 19.

FOX 9 and other Gray Media stations announced a televised debate between Klobuchar and Demuth scheduled for 7 p.m. on October 21.

Demuth said 'It is time to put an end to that war,' arguing the Iran war was raising costs for Minnesotans. Klobuchar's campaign criticized the stance as late and insufficient.

Restore Sanity, an independent group supporting Demuth, raised about $14.1 million total, including over $13 million from a PAC funded primarily by Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein. It spent nearly $4.4 million supporting Demuth and nearly $1.8 million opposing Klobuchar.

By mid-September, Demuth had raised about $2.6 million including a $1.3 million public subsidy, with ~$618,000 cash on hand, versus Klobuchar's $13M+ raised and $3.5M on hand. Outside PAC spending was lifting Demuth's presence on the airwaves.

As of September 22, Klobuchar and Demuth had not finalized a shared debate schedule, with disagreements over format and timing reported by the Star Tribune.

Reporting by Courier MN noted a key figure connected to the Star Tribune owner was supporting Demuth's gubernatorial campaign.

A Co/efficient poll of 833 likely Minnesota voters (Sept. 14–15) put Klobuchar at 47% and Demuth at 45%, within the ±3.38-point margin of error. The outlet noted Co/efficient is a Republican-aligned polling firm.

Lisa Demuth won the Republican gubernatorial primary with 43.44% of the vote, defeating Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls, advancing to the general election against DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar.