Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has officially launched her campaign for governor, naming attorney Ryan Wilson as her running mate. The announcement came during a statewide tour, where Demuth and Wilson met with residents and local media in several cities, including Duluth, Moorhead, Mankato, and Paynesville.
Speaking at Monaco Air Duluth on Tuesday, Demuth expressed confidence in her leadership and the vision she brings to Minnesota. She said her years of legislative experience have prepared her to take on the state’s top job. “I have proven I can work across party lines while still delivering on the conservative values and priorities Minnesotans care about most,” she said.
Ryan Wilson, a Minnesota attorney who previously ran for state auditor in 2022, said he was eager to join Demuth on the ticket. “When Lisa asked me to join her ticket, without hesitation, I said, ‘I’m honored, I’m in, let’s go,’” Wilson said. “This election is too important not to win. It’s too important to not draw a line in the sand and start turning Minnesota around.”
Demuth’s campaign focuses on bringing what she describes as “practical conservative leadership” to Minnesota. As House Speaker, she has built a reputation for collaboration and has emphasized issues such as economic growth, government transparency, and public safety. She said that while she values bipartisanship, she believes the state needs a change in direction and stronger leadership to address challenges facing Minnesotans.
Wilson echoed those sentiments, saying he believes Demuth’s leadership can restore trust in government and strengthen communities across the state. He praised her record of balancing fiscal responsibility with compassion and said the pair share a deep commitment to listening to Minnesotans’ concerns and finding solutions that work for everyone.
The Demuth-Wilson ticket signals a new chapter for the Minnesota Republican Party as it prepares for a highly competitive race in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Their campaign message centers on restoring what they describe as “common-sense governance,” emphasizing accountability, community values, and opportunity for all residents.
Throughout their media tour, the two spoke about their shared priorities, including making Minnesota more affordable for families, supporting small businesses, and ensuring that public safety remains a top priority. They also highlighted the importance of working with communities outside the Twin Cities, saying that every region of Minnesota deserves to be heard and represented.
Demuth, who has served in the Minnesota House since 2019, said she entered the race to bring stability and direction to state leadership. She emphasized that her campaign will be about listening to Minnesotans and making sure their voices guide the policies she pursues.
“We’re taking this campaign to every corner of the state because Minnesota belongs to all of us,” Demuth said. “This is about creating a future where people feel heard, respected, and confident that their leaders are working for them.”
As the campaign begins to build momentum, both Demuth and Wilson say they’re ready to take their message directly to voters, hoping to inspire support through personal engagement and a promise of principled leadership.
