Army veteran and executive director Kendall Quals has officially launched his campaign to challenge former Democratic vice presidential candidate, Gov. Tim Waltz, in the race for Minnesota’s next governor.
While Waltz hasn’t formally announced his bid for a third consecutive term, Quals, who previously ran for governor in 2022, sees this as a crucial opportunity to address the issues he believes have arisen under Waltz’s leadership.
“After a 16-year period that many believe has been marked by failure in leadership, Minnesotans are looking for a new direction. They want fresh leadership, and I’m here to provide that,” Quals told Fox News Digital ahead of his campaign launch.
In a statement shared with the media, Quals emphasized that he believes he’s the only candidate capable of unlocking Minnesota’s potential.
Quals criticized Waltz, stating, “There’s no need to say Minnesota is at a crossroads. Tim Waltz has led us down a path with lost jobs, increased crime, and declining education, spending more time on vanity tours than focusing on what truly matters for Minnesota. That’s not what I call leadership.”
He highlighted that residents want a robust economy, safe communities, and better education but feel these changes won’t come under Waltz’s administration.
Quals argues that effective leadership—rooted in real-world business experience—is essential to remedying the issues he attributes to Waltz. He insists that to restore order and improve community safety, Minnesota needs candidates who embody conservative values and prioritize legal and order qualifications.
Quals believes that bringing in political outsiders like himself is the key to creating the change that Minnesota seeks.
Reflecting on his own background, he noted, “My experience in business is akin to President Trump’s, along with my time in the US Army. I grew up in poverty, which has shaped my understanding of success in America.”
He expressed that there are pathways for everyone to succeed but lamented how government policies often obstruct those opportunities. “It’s disheartening to see how Democrats seem to be closing doors to prosperity,” Quals added.
Quals looks at his previous campaign, where he finished second out of seven candidates in the Republican primary, and feels this time is different. “I’m going to focus on uniting the party and raising funds,” he said, hinting at a stronger grassroots push among Minnesota Republicans eager for change.
As of now, Waltz has not responded to requests for comments regarding the upcoming election.
