Attorney Chris Madel launches GOP bid for Minnesota governor
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Madel argued that his track record in court will translate to success in stopping fraud in state programs. Photo: Torey Van Oot/Axios
Prominent Twin Cities attorney Chris Madel announced on Monday that he will run for Minnesota governor.
State of play: Madel joins a crowded field of candidates seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Gov. Tim Walz in the 2026 midterm election.
- Other high-profile names in the race include House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen and businessman Kendall Qualls.
Catch up fast: Madel, a former trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, made headlines in recent years as the defense attorney for Ryan Londregan, the state trooper charged with killing a Black driver during a 2023 traffic stop.
- The politically contentious and highly scrutinized case ended when Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty dropped the charges in 2024.
- He has also represented the conservative outlet Alpha News, its reporter Liz Collin and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.
- Before launching his own firm, he worked for Robins Kaplan, where he conducted internal investigations for the Vikings and successfully defended Twins star Kirby Puckett in a 2003 assault case.
What he's saying: In an hourlong PowerPoint presentation laying out his candidacy, Madel (pronounced like "paddle," but with an M) pledged to focus on fraud, education, public safety and making government more efficient.
- He argued his experience as an attorney on fraud cases means he "actually understand[s] how to uncover it, how to do something about it," and said he decided to join the crowded GOP race "because 'Tim Walz sucks' is not a strategy."
- Madel, who enters the race with the endorsement of the Minneapolis police union, also vowed to do more to support law enforcement.
Friction point: Madel, a vocal critic of Democrats and the mainstream media in recent years, has donated to Walz and other Democrats in the past.
- Those contributions have already started generating attacks from rivals and an influential conservative group.
- Madel said Monday that he "hasn't changed much" politically, saying he had a Reagan-Bush poster in his high school bedroom, and said he works in a "bipartisan business."
- "If you are looking for an apology from me, you are coming to the wrong person," he said.
The other side: The Minnesota DFL Party criticized Madel for representing what they called a "checkered history of clients," in a statement arguing that "he lacks a moral compass to be governor."
- When asked about the comments, Madel responded, "bring it on," and said he mostly takes civil cases.
The big picture: Republicans believe voter fatigue after two terms and heightened scrutiny of Walz's response to fraud in state programs give them an opening to end a two-decade statewide losing streak in Minnesota.
- Walz and his defenders say his track record on major policies and broader voter dissatisfaction with President Trump create a path to win an unprecedented third consecutive term.
- When asked about Trump's performance and criticism of his administration's approach toward the courts and the rule of law, Madel said, "I'm not taking the bait. Tim Walz's performance thus far speaks for itself ... I'm gonna stick to Minnesota."
What we're watching: Madel said he will "aggressively" seek the Republican Party endorsement, but that he "will go on to the primary."
- That could increase the chances of a prolonged — and politically messy — fight for the GOP nomination.