House Speaker Lisa Demuth, the top Republican in the Minnesota Legislature, announced her campaign Sunday for the GOP nomination for governor to challenge incumbent Democrat Gov. Tim Walz.

Walz is seeking what would be an unprecedented third four-year term in the state. But if she were to triumph next fall, Demuth would make history of her own by becoming the first woman and first person of color to be governor in a state where Republicans have not won statewide office in nearly 20 years.

First she will need to successfully make her case to her party to choose her from a crowded field that includes the 2022 GOP nominee Dr. Scott Jensen, U.S. Army veteran and business owner Kendall Qualls and Rep. Kristin Robbins, chair of the House anti-fraud committee.

"I believe that we'll be able to

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