Minneapolis attorney and Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel has ended his campaign, citing opposition to how national Republicans have approached federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Madel, who entered the race in December 2025 as part of a crowded Republican field seeking to succeed Governor Tim Walz, said in a video posted to X on Monday that he could not support what he called the national party’s “retribution” against Minnesotans.
Madel previously drew national attention for providing legal assistance to an ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Good during enforcement operations in Minneapolis. (RELATED: Top Trump Ally To Be Reassigned)
In his statement, Madel criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota, describing them as an “unmitigated disaster.” He said the enforcement actions have created fear in communities, particularly among people of color, and at times crossed constitutional lines, such as conducting home raids on civil warrants.
Fox News continues:
“I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state,” Chris Madel said in a message posted on social media Monday, as he announced he was dropping his outsider bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. “Nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.”
Madel’s move comes two days after a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center who was filming an immigration operation.
Madel’s exit leaves a competitive Republican field, including MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former nominee Scott Jensen, and businessman Kendall Qualls.
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Wonderful news!
What a coward.
These are not protests/ This is a planned insurrection by foreign trained anarchists.
Can you say ‘RINO’?
Maybe he would like living in a Socialist country.