Kendall Qualls Launches Campaign to Challenge Governor Tim Walz in Minnesota
Army veteran and business executive Kendall Qualls has officially announced his candidacy for governor of Minnesota, setting the stage for a potential showdown with incumbent Governor Tim Walz, a former Democratic vice presidential nominee. While Walz has not yet formally declared his intention to seek a third consecutive term, Qualls is positioning himself as the candidate best equipped to address what he characterizes as the failures of Walz’s administration.
"I’m running because, after a 16-year reign of failed leadership, the citizens of Minnesota are looking for a different direction," Qualls stated in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital ahead of his campaign launch. "They’re looking for new leadership, and I’m here to make sure they get it."
Qualls, who previously sought the governorship in 2022, emphasized his belief that he is the only candidate capable of unlocking Minnesota’s full potential. He painted a stark picture of the state under Walz’s leadership, citing "lost jobs, fleeing companies, rising crime, and cratering education." He further criticized Walz for allegedly prioritizing out-of-state engagements over addressing the needs of Minnesotans.
"Minnesota is at a crossroads," Qualls asserted. "Tim Walz took us further down the road of lost jobs, fleeing companies, rising crime and cratering education. Now, he’s spending more time outside the state on a vanity tour than he is trying to move Minnesota forward. That’s not leadership."
Qualls outlined his vision for Minnesota, emphasizing the importance of economic growth, community safety, and improved education. He argued that these goals are unattainable under Walz’s leadership.
"Minnesotans want to build the economy, feel safe in their communities, and improve education, but we’re not going to get any of those changes from Tim Walz," Qualls declared. "I’m the only candidate who can help Minnesota live up to its potential. If we are going to fix the budget Tim Walz broke, we need a proven leader with real-world business experience. If we are going to take back our streets and our classrooms, we need a candidate with a conservative backbone and law and order credentials."
Qualls presented himself as a political outsider, drawing parallels to former President Donald Trump’s background in business and leadership. He highlighted his own diverse experiences, including his service as an officer in the United States Army and his upbringing in poverty.
"Much like President Trump with his experience in business and leadership, my background has been in business. And before that, I was an officer in the United States Army. And even before that, I grew up in dire poverty. I know that there’s a formula for success in this country, even if we don’t come from a background of privilege," Qualls explained.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that pathways to success remain accessible to all Americans, regardless of their background. Qualls argued that government should play a role in facilitating these pathways.
"There are pathways out. And unfortunately, what I’m finding with the Democrats is that they have been closing those doors of prosperity," Qualls stated. "When I turned 18 years old, I registered as a Republican, and I never looked back. I didn’t know any Republicans. I didn’t have a country club membership, but what I did know was what the Democrats were doing in the Black community was something I didn’t want to be a part of. They weren’t helping. They were making things worse."
Qualls recounted his personal journey, noting that he grew up in poverty in Harlem, New York, and in a trailer park in Oklahoma.
While this is not Qualls’s first attempt to secure the governorship, he believes that the current political climate and his increased name recognition position him for success this time around.
"In this last election, I finished number two out of seven candidates in the Republican endorsement process. I agreed to abide by the endorsement. I actually endorsed the candidate that won. But unfortunately, in that election in 2022, we lost everything – the governorship, Senate, House, attorney general, everything. And a lot of people felt that maybe we had the wrong candidate at the top of the ticket," Qualls said.
He expressed confidence that his campaign will resonate with Minnesota voters who are seeking change.
"I worked around the state for four years helping candidates raise money, just rallying the troops," Qualls said. "There’s a sense of true leadership that people haven’t seen before."
Qualls stated that he is focused on building a grassroots coalition of Minnesota Republicans who are ready for change.
As of the time of reporting, Governor Walz had not responded to requests for comment. Qualls’s campaign launch sets the stage for a potentially contentious gubernatorial race in Minnesota, with Qualls positioning himself as the conservative alternative to what he describes as the failed policies of the current Democratic administration. His focus on economic growth, community safety, and education reform, coupled with his personal story of overcoming adversity, are central to his message as he seeks to convince Minnesota voters that he is the right choice to lead the state forward.
