Tuesday, January 27, 2026-In a stunning political shake‑up in Minnesota, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Chris Madel abruptly ended his campaign on January 26, declaring he could no longer align with what he called the national GOP’s “stated retribution on the citizens of our state.”
Madel’s announcement, delivered in a forceful video to supporters and followers, directly criticized aggressive federal immigration enforcement actions unfolding across Minneapolis a stance that immediately thrust him into the center of a fierce national debate over civil rights and party identity.
Madel’s withdrawal comes amid skyrocketing tensions tied to Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement operation that has drawn widespread controversy after two U.S. citizens were killed during protests against the deployment of thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents.
While Madel initially backed the mission’s core goal of targeting serious criminals, he argued the operation has “expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats,” leaving many residents especially in communities of color afraid to go about daily life without carrying proof of citizenship.
The impact of Madel’s decision is already reverberating through Minnesota politics. As GOP leaders grapple with rising criticism from both inside and outside the party, Madel warned that the current federal approach has made it “nearly impossible” for Republicans to win statewide elections, a blunt assessment that could reshape campaign strategies ahead of 2026.
Whether his bold break signals a broader shift within the Republican ranks or accelerates fractures over immigration and civil liberties, one thing is clear: the fallout from this withdrawal will extend well beyond the governor’s race.
0 Comments