GOP Rep. Kristin Robbins announces run for Minnesota governor

State Rep. Kristin Robbins announced Wednesday she will run for governor next year, bringing a fresh face to the race as Republicans seek to win the office for the first time since 2006.

Robbins, a Maple Grove Republican and rising voice in the Legislature, said Minnesota has declined under DFL Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership. She criticized Walz and Democrats for spending a historic budget surplus while also raising taxes.

“I’m in this because I love Minnesota and I want to make sure state government works for Minnesotans, not against them,” Robbins said in an interview Wednesday.

Robbins joins a GOP gubernatorial field that includes Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls, both of whom ran for governor in 2022. Former U.S. naval intelligence officer Phillip Parrish and retired mixed martial arts fighter Brad Kohler are also running.

She serves as chair of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, a platform she’s used to scrutinize the Walz administration. In her first campaign ad, she criticized the DFL governor for what she called an “epidemic of fraud” in state-run programs.

“The American people looked at Tim Walz and said, ‘No thanks,’” Robbins said in the ad, which featured several images of Walz from his failed run for vice president. “Minnesota should do the same.”

Walz hasn’t announced whether he’ll seek re-election, saying he will make a decision after Labor Day. He’s privately been wavering about whether to run, according to interviews with nearly a dozen people in the party, including some who are close to the governor.

“Well, as I’ve said, it’s been the privilege of my lifetime to do this job. And I also think our administration has navigated probably ... some of the most challenging times Minnesota has faced, from global pandemic to the death of George Floyd to global issues that are impacting us,” Walz told reporters. “I want to do what I think is best for Minnesota, and we’re still assessing that.”

Some other Republicans are mulling gubernatorial bids, including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, state Rep. Jim Nash and Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel.

Robbins said she has a “proven track record of winning,” noting she outperformed President Donald Trump’s margin of victory in her west-suburban district last year.

“The presidential race was even and I won by 14 points,” Robbins said.

She said she would welcome an endorsement from Trump.

Amy Koch, a Republican operative and former Minnesota Senate majority leader, said in a recent interview that a suburban candidate like Robbins could help the GOP appeal to more voters.

“I like a suburban or exurban candidate because that is the area we have to play to win statewide,” Koch said.

Minnesota DFL Chair Richard Carlbom said in a statement that “a Kristin Robbins governorship would be disastrous for working-class Minnesotans.” Carlbom criticized Robbins for opposing universal school meals and paid family and medical leave programs.

Robbins could also face pushback from some GOP activists after having served as Minnesota chair of Nikki Haley’s 2024 presidential campaign.

“That would be something that her [GOP] opponents will use, for sure,” Koch said.