Lisa Demuth Breaks With Trump Over Iran War

Republican gubernatorial nominee and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth announced on September 24 that the war in Iran should end, citing the conflict's role in driving up the cost of gas, groceries, and fertilizer for Minnesota residents. The announcement, made during a news conference in St. Paul, marks a public break from President Donald Trump, who endorsed former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell during the Republican primary.

Demuth stated that she and the president are different people, noting further disagreements regarding tariffs and foreign beef. This shift follows sustained pressure from her Democratic opponent, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and the DFL, who criticized Demuth for previously avoiding a stance on the conflict.

Senator Klobuchar, who has opposed the war since its inception and taken legislative action in the Senate to end it, dismissed Demuth's position as a half-hearted response. Klobuchar asserted that the president had no plan when the war started and currently has no plan to conclude it, though she maintained her support for sanctions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, with early voting already underway.