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Chris Madel Ends Run for Minnesota Governor, Citing Immigration Crackdown
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
📅 January 27, 2026
MINNEAPOLIS — Republican attorney Chris Madel announced on Monday that he is ending his campaign for governor of Minnesota, sharply criticizing federal immigration enforcement measures and saying he can no longer remain aligned with his party due to what he described as punitive policies that have destabilized his state.
Madel, a Minneapolis-based lawyer who had risen quickly among GOP contenders for the August 2026 primary, cited the ongoing federal immigration operation in Minnesota — known as Operation Metro Surge — and its consequences, including heightened fear among residents and controversial shootings by federal agents, as central to his decision to withdraw.
Breaking With Party Over Enforcement Policy
In a video posted to social media, Madel said he could not support what he called the “national Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state,” a reference to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. He stated that the federal operation has gone “far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats” and has created a climate of fear for many Minnesotans, including U.S. citizens of color.
Madel also criticized certain enforcement practices, including the use of civil warrants for home raids that he said lacked proper judicial oversight, calling such tactics unconstitutional.
Although he has previously defended law enforcement figures in court — including providing legal counsel earlier in the month to an ICE agent involved in a fatal shooting — Madel said his decision was driven by a broader concern over civil liberties and the political toll of the federal crackdown in Minnesota.
Political and Electoral Implications
Madel’s withdrawal underscores growing tension within the Republican Party over immigration policy and its impact on electoral prospects in Minnesota. He explicitly said that national Republicans’ alignment with aggressive federal enforcement has made it “nearly impossible for a Republican to win a statewide election” in the state.
Madel had launched his campaign on December 1, 2025, entering what was expected to be a competitive GOP primary field. He had performed well in some early straw polls among party activists, drawing support as a relative outsider with legal experience.
His decision comes amid a period of intense political upheaval in Minnesota. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has declined to seek re-election amid a separate welfare fraud scandal, leaving the gubernatorial field open to new contenders from both parties. Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has formed a committee to explore a gubernatorial bid and is considered a likely contender.
Operation Metro Surge and Community Backlash
Madel’s comments reflect broader controversy surrounding Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative launched in late 2025 that has deployed thousands of agents across Minneapolis and greater Minnesota. Critics say the operation has resulted in widespread arrests and escalated tensions between federal officers and local communities.
The campaign has been further inflamed by the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens — including Renée Good and Alex Pretti — by federal immigration agents during enforcement actions. These incidents sparked local protests, political backlash, and intensified scrutiny of the operation’s tactics.
Madel’s denunciation of the operation’s impact on U.S. citizens — particularly minorities — highlights a fracture within Republican ranks over balancing enforcement priorities with civil liberties concerns.
Reactions and Next Steps
Madel’s exit from the governor’s race received attention from both parties. Some Democratic figures praised his decision as a principled stand, while reaction among Republicans has been mixed, with some expressing concern about the political costs of the immigration crackdown and others defending the administration’s approach.
With Madel’s withdrawal, the GOP primary field remains open, featuring other Republican contenders including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former state Senator Scott Jensen, and other candidates seeking the nomination.
As the gubernatorial contest evolves, the intersection of immigration enforcement policy and civil rights is likely to remain a focal point of debate in Minnesota politics leading up to the November 2026 general election.
Sources:
Reuters; The Guardian; Axios; Associated Press; Minnesota Star Tribune
Tags: Minnesota Politics, Chris Madel, Governor Race, Immigration Policy, Operation Metro Surge, Republican Party
News by The Vagabond News.
