Chris Madel, a GOP candidate for Minnesota governor, dropped out of the race on Monday, criticizing the actions of ICE and the GOP’s retribution campaign against the citizens of Minneapolis.
“I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state,” Madel said in a video message he posted on social media, “nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.”
Madel, a Minneapolis lawyer, represented Jonathon Ross, the federal immigration agent who shot and killed Renee Good on January 7.
“Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threat,” Madel said in his message. “United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear. United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That’s wrong.”
Nearly a dozen GOP candidates are already engaged in a crowded primary for governor, including Lisa Demuth, the speaker of the Minnesota House, who is the highest-ranking Republican in the state, and Pillow Guy Mike Lindell.
Madel appeared to be gaining ground, often finishing in the top share of Republican challengers in unofficial party straw polls. But Madel made it clear that the national GOP was making it impossible for any Republican to win the governorship in Minnesota.
No Republican candidate has won a state-wide election since 2006.