Klobuchar and Demuth hold first Minnesota gubernatorial debate

Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth participated in their first debate for the Minnesota governorship. Held at Madden’s Resort in the Brainerd Lakes area, the discussion focused on the state's economy, business climate, public safety, and taxation.

During the debate, Demuth pledged that tax hikes would be ‘absolutely off the table,’ criticizing current state spending and alleging that out-of-control budgets have allowed fraud to go unchecked. Klobuchar countered by proposing a growth agenda to avoid tax increases and emphasized the need to root out fraud within state agencies, citing her background as a former prosecutor.

Klobuchar also addressed the impact of federal tariffs, arguing that the state needs a governor who will actively oppose them. The race follows Governor Tim Walz’s decision not to seek a third term, and the election could result in the state’s first female governor.