Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel has abruptly ended his bid for Minnesota governor, shaking up the Republican field in a state already reeling from federal enforcement actions.
Chris Madel, a veteran trial lawyer, announced his withdrawal on Monday via social media, just two days after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, on Jan. 24, 2026, during an immigration operation in Minneapolis.
Madel’s decision follows heightened tensions over federal immigration crackdowns under President Donald Trump’s second term.
The fatal incident involving Pretti, coupled with the earlier death of Renee Good has deepened political divides in Minnesota. This comes as Democratic Gov. Tim Walz also dropped his re-election bid earlier this month amid a massive fraud scandal involving social services programs.
The scandal, with charges against over 90 individuals since 2022, may involve stolen funds exceeding $1 billion, some allegedly funneled to overseas terror groups.
The issue has sparked intense debate over the scope of federal power in Minnesota, especially with Operation Metro Surge deploying thousands of immigration agents to the state. Madel, once a supporter of the operation’s initial aim to target serious public safety threats, has now turned sharply critical. His exit signals a fracture within Republican ranks over national party priorities.
"Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats," Madel declared in his announcement, according to Fox News. "United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear."
That’s a bold statement, and it cuts to the heart of a growing unease among many who value law and order but question the heavy-handed tactics on display. When American citizens feel compelled to carry papers to prove their status, something has gone awry with the mission. This isn’t the vision of limited government that conservatives champion.
Madel’s withdrawal leaves the Republican field, including contenders like Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and state Rep. Kristin Robbins, to navigate a state where no GOP candidate has won the governorship in two decades.
His rapid rise from obscurity since launching his campaign on Dec. 1, 2025, made him a notable player, despite struggles to win over staunch MAGA supporters due to past donations to Democrats. Now, his exit raises questions about the party’s electability in a deeply polarized environment.
Adding to the complexity, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar recently filed preliminary paperwork for a potential 2026 gubernatorial run. Madel insisted her move didn’t influence his decision, but it’s hard to ignore the shifting dynamics. The Democratic machine in Minnesota remains a formidable obstacle for any Republican hopeful.
Then there’s the fraud scandal haunting Gov. Walz’s tenure, with prosecutors alleging stolen funds were splashed on luxury cars, real estate, and even international vacations. The suggestion that some money reached Islamic terror groups is a gut punch to taxpayers who expect accountability. This backdrop of corruption only fuels distrust in government across the political spectrum.
Turning to the immigration operations, the shooting of Alex Pretti has become a flashpoint. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled his actions as domestic terrorism, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called him a would-be assassin, yet video evidence appears to contradict claims of an immediate threat. Without clear transparency on these incidents, public confidence in federal actions erodes further.
Operation Metro Surge was meant to focus on deporting those posing genuine risks, a goal many law-abiding citizens support. But when the mission creeps into overreach, with federal agents clashing fatally with protesters and citizens living in fear, it’s no longer about safety—it’s about control. That’s a line conservatives must be wary of crossing, lest they alienate the very people they claim to protect.
Madel himself represented Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot Renee Good, drawing national attention earlier this month. That legal role placed him in a tricky spot, balancing defense of law enforcement with growing public outrage over these deaths. His decision to step away now suggests a man wrestling with principle over politics.
