Overview
- Kendall Qualls announced on March 3 that Brian Nicholson, an Albertville construction firm chief executive, will join his Republican ticket for governor.
- Neither Qualls nor Nicholson has held elected office, and they are pitching themselves as two business leaders offering an outsider alternative to career politicians.
- The campaign says Nicholson would bring expertise on regulations, permitting and taxes, and in an op-ed he argued Minnesota faces economic strain, safety concerns and struggling schools.
- At a Capitol press conference, Nicholson initially gave his age as 38 before the campaign corrected it to 48 and said more details about his business background will be provided.
- Qualls is making a second run and recently finished second in a GOP precinct caucus straw poll, with rivals including Lisa Demuth, Kristin Robbins and Mike Lindell, as Democrats line up behind Amy Klobuchar after Gov. Tim Walz exited the race.