Photo Credit: Candidate Facebook Pages
(MINNESOTA) – GOP candidates Mike Lindell, Kendall Qualls, and Lisa Demuth are making a last-ditch effort to draw support before the Republican Primary on August 11. Lindell’s campaign continues to face controversy, while Qualls and Demuth refuse to alter their strategies despite trailing in the polls.
At a July 4 parade in Delano, Lindell’s campaign threw campaign-branded MyPillow products; more specifically, the company’s Roll and Go pillows, which Lindell values at $4.90. A complainant disagreed, filing a complaint on July 22, stating the pillows were worth around $35. Lindell insists the complainants confused the low-cost pillow for the original My Pillow, which retails for over $34, and that his campaign consulted with lawyers and the Campaign Finance Board before deciding whether to hand out the pillows.
Minnesota Fair Campaign Practices regulations state that any campaign giveaways must fall below Minnesota’s $5 exemption. The retail value of the alleged pillow thrown ranges from $7.50 to $28. Lindell, however, is likely using production cost, which is estimated at under $5 per pillow. A judge has taken the matter under advisement.
Speaker of the Minnesota House Lisa Demuth was originally seen as the strongest contender. Demuth’s platform includes lowering state taxes, repealing Minnesota’s ban on nuclear energy, and increasing funding for public safety. She leaned heavily on the controversy surrounding Governor Tim Walz's alleged fraud, stating early on, “I am the only candidate in this race who has entered a room with Tim Walz and walked out a winner.” Walz ended his reelection campaign shortly after the controversy, and it lost steam.
Kendall Qualls rounds out the list of GOP hopefuls, trailing behind Lindell and Demuth in recent polls. Qualls isn’t concerned about the public polls, dismissing them as inaccurate and claiming his internal campaign data results show a more level playing field. Earlier this year, Qualls won the GOP endorsement. Generally, Republican primary voters in Minnesota follow the GOP-endorsed candidate, so Qualls ’ current public poll results are surprising. His platform focuses on cutting taxes, reducing government spending, and maintaining good relations with law enforcement.
Whoever wins the GOP Primary on August 11 will face Democratic candidate Amy Klobuchar on November 3. To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at kristin.h@lead4earth.org.
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