Republican Chris Madel has announced the suspension of his campaign for governor of Minnesota, citing concerns over the direction of the national Republican Party and its impact on citizens in the state. He expressed discontent with what he described as a “retribution on the citizens of our state” by national party members.
Madel initially backed Operation Metro Surge, which aimed to target serious public safety threats among illegal migrants. However, he has since criticized the operation for expanding beyond its original intent, calling it an “unmitigated disaster” and raising alarms over its effects on communities, particularly on U.S. citizens of color who are now living in fear and feeling the need to carry passports to prove their citizenship.
He further emphasized that he cannot align himself with a party that appears to promote this fear and division. Madel expressed that national Republican strategies have rendered the prospect of a Republican winning a statewide election in Minnesota nearly impossible. He also accused local Republican leadership of failing to investigate allegations of fraud, which he linked to the justification for the increased presence of federal agents under Operation Metro Surge.
Earlier, Madel gained notoriety in 2024 for his role in defending a state trooper charged with murder after a fatal traffic stop, charges that were eventually dropped. He also represented an ICE agent involved in a recent high-profile shooting in Minneapolis, defending his actions by asserting a commitment to the constitutional right to counsel.
As events continue to unfold, Madel’s departure from the race reflects the broader challenges facing the Republican Party in Minnesota amid growing national political tensions.