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Lisa Demuth struggled to rack up votes in the metro area at the same rate as the last Republican gubernatorial candidate, Scott Jensen, according to an Axios analysis.

The big picture: Last August, Minnesota Republican primary voters rejected Mike Lindell, who had President Trump's and the state party's endorsement, in favor of Demuth.

• Operatives believed Demuth had more potential to appeal to voters in battleground Twin Cities suburbs — as did the non-endorsed Republicans who advanced from the U.S. Senate and state auditor primaries.