GOP Chris Madel Exits Minnesota Gov. Race, Citing Federal ‘Retribution’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel ended his campaign, criticizing the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration tactics in Minnesota. He cited constitutional concerns and racial profiling. The move follows two controversial ICE-related shootings in Minneapolis.
Minnesota GOP Shake-Up Quick Looks
- Chris Madel ends campaign, citing “unconstitutional” ICE actions in Minnesota.
- He condemned Trump-era immigration tactics as an “unmitigated disaster.”
- Criticized federal ‘retribution’ against Minnesota citizens, especially people of color.
- Madel represented ICE agent involved in Renee Good shooting, pro bono.
- Recent fatal shooting of Alex Pretti intensified political pressure.
- Madel was a political newcomer and experienced attorney.
- He joins a crowded GOP field, including Mike Lindell and Lisa Demuth.
- Madel said Republicans have made statewide wins nearly impossible in Minnesota.
- ICE agents accused of racial profiling, detaining U.S. citizens of color.
- Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar has filed to run but hasn’t launched her campaign.
Deep Look: GOP Chris Madel Exits Minnesota Gov. Race, Citing Federal ‘Retribution’
Madison, Wis. — Chris Madel, a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, ended his campaign Monday, citing deep concerns over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement and what he described as federal ‘retribution’ against Minnesota’s residents.
In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Madel, a longtime Minneapolis attorney, sharply criticized the federal government’s conduct, particularly following the recent fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. The incident, combined with an earlier controversial ICE shooting, has sparked protests and calls for accountability across the state.
“I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state,” Madel said in his video. “Nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.”
Madel said that U.S. citizens, “particularly those of color, live in fear.”
“United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship,” Madel said. “That’s wrong.”
Madel said he personally had heard from local Asian and Hispanic law enforcement officers who had been pulled over by ICE.
“I have read about and I have spoken to help countless United States citizens who have been detained in Minnesota due to the color of their skin,” Madel said.
Madel, who entered the race on Dec. 1, was a first-time candidate but brought 30 years of legal experience, including representing law enforcement officers. He had gained attention earlier this month for offering free legal advice to ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Good on Jan. 7. While no criminal charges have been filed against Ross, the shooting fueled public outrage.
Madel said he was proud to support Ross, adding, “Justice requires excellent legal representation.” But he made clear that his support for law enforcement does not extend to unconstitutional or racially discriminatory practices.
A Stand Against Party and Policy
In his announcement, Madel accused federal agents of detaining U.S. citizens based on race and criticized what he described as illegal home raids conducted with civil—not judicial—warrants.
“I’ve spoken with Asian and Hispanic officers pulled over by ICE,” Madel said. “Citizens are now carrying documents to prove they belong here. That’s wrong.”
His remarks reflect a rare Republican rebuke of immigration enforcement in a campaign climate where loyalty to Trump and tough-on-border messaging has become a central pillar for many GOP candidates.
Madel also blamed national Republicans for alienating Minnesota voters:
“They’ve made it nearly impossible for a Republican to win statewide in Minnesota,” he said.
Field Narrows, Pressure Builds
Madel’s exit narrows the GOP field in the 2026 governor’s race, which had already shifted dramatically after Gov. Tim Walz withdrew from re-election earlier this month. Republicans had initially planned to focus the race on Walz’s handling of state welfare fraud, but federal immigration raids and shootings have since dominated the political conversation.
Remaining GOP candidates include:
- Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and Trump ally
- Lisa Demuth, Minnesota House Speaker
- Dr. Scott Jensen, 2022 nominee and former state senator
- Rep. Kristin Robbins, a rising conservative voice
On the Democratic side, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has filed to run, but has yet to formally launch her campaign.
Madel, 59, emphasized his pragmatism and legal credentials throughout his short campaign. He frequently cited his work in the 2024 defense of State Trooper Ryan Londregan, who fatally shot Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop. Charges were dropped in that case.
Ultimately, the tone of the Trump administration’s response to unrest in Minneapolis — including deploying thousands of federal agents, overseeing two fatal shootings, and making mass arrests — proved too stark for Madel to reconcile with his platform.
“I believe in law and order,” he said, “but not like this.”
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