A Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota has withdrawn from the 2026 race, citing strong opposition to a controversial federal immigration enforcement campaign that has led to two fatal shootings, widespread protests, and escalating
legal and political tensions between state and federal officials.
Chris Madel, a Minneapolis attorney and Republican gubernatorial hopeful, announced Monday that he is ending his campaign in protest of what he described as unconstitutional and politically motivated actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies operating in Minnesota. The enforcement effort, known as Operation Metro Surge, has dramatically expanded the presence of
federal immigration officers across the state.
Madel said he could no longer remain a candidate while the national Republican Party continues to support policies he believes are harming Minnesota residents and undermining constitutional protections.
“I cannot support what has become federal retribution against the citizens of our state,” Madel said in a public statement. “The national Republican Party has made it nearly impossible for a Republican to win a statewide election in Minnesota.”
Fatal Shootings Intensify Scrutiny of ICE Operations
The federal crackdown has drawn national attention following two fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers in the Minneapolis area. Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both 37-year-old U.S. citizens, were killed during separate encounters connected to immigration enforcement operations.
The deaths sparked protests, civil rights complaints, and legal challenges, with state and local officials questioning federal tactics and the scope of the operation. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have both publicly urged federal authorities to scale back or remove ICE and Border Patrol agents from the state.
Video footage and conflicting official accounts of the shootings have further fueled controversy, with civil rights advocates and legal experts raising concerns about the use of force, racial profiling, and the use of civil immigration warrants to conduct aggressive street-level enforcement.
Madel said the operation has expanded far beyond its stated mission of targeting serious criminal offenders.re
“I support removing dangerous criminals from our communities,” he said. “But this operation has grown into something far broader and far more troubling, impacting law-abiding residents and creating fear across our state.”
Growing GOP Divisions Over Immigration Enforcement
Madel’s decision highlights deepening divisions within the Republican Party over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and the political risks of aggressive federal tactics. While President Donald Trump and national Republican leaders have largely backed the surge, some GOP officials and candidates have expressed concern about the legal, constitutional, and electoral consequences.
According to party activists and local media, Madel had been polling among the top Republican contenders in the crowded primary field. His departure reshapes the Republican race and underscores challenges the party faces in Minnesota, a state that has leaned Democratic in recent statewide elections.
More than 10 Republican candidates remain in the race, including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, State Representative Kristin Robbins, and former state Senator Scott Jensen. The Republican primary is scheduled for August.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar recently entered the race and is widely viewed by analysts as the frontrunner, following Governor Walz’s decision not to seek reelection amid a separate state-level welfare fraud controversy.
Legal and Constitutional Concerns Mount
Operation Metro Surge has become the subject of mounting legal scrutiny. Civil rights organizations, state officials, and legal experts have raised concerns over alleged violations of constitutional protections, including unlawful detentions, racial profiling, and the expanded use of civil warrants to
conduct enforcement actions in public spaces and residential areas.
Several lawsuits and court challenges are reportedly underway, seeking to limit or halt aspects of the federal operation. Minnesota officials have argued that the surge undermines state sovereignty and interferes with local law enforcement priorities.
Madel, who has a background in criminal defense and civil rights law, said the legal implications weighed heavily on his decision.
“This is no longer just a political issue,” he said. “It is a fundamental question of constitutional rights, due process, and public safety.”
National Political Impact
The controversy in Minnesota has become part of a broader
national debate over immigration enforcement and federal authority. The deaths of Good and Pretti have intensified scrutiny of ICE and Border Patrol tactics and contributed to bipartisan concern in Congress.
Federal officials have indicated that some agents may begin withdrawing from Minneapolis, but thousands of federal officers remain deployed as part of the ongoing operation. Congressional hearings and oversight investigations are expected in the coming weeks.
For Madel, the decision to exit the race was framed as a matter of principle rather than political strategy.
“I cannot continue as a candidate while my party supports actions that, in my view, violate the Constitution and put innocent people at risk,” he said.
Political analysts say Madel’s withdrawal underscores the growing political and legal risks surrounding aggressive immigration enforcement and may influence how both parties address civil liberties and federal authority heading into the 2026 elections.
Explore top legal career opportunities and stay ahead in constitutional, immigration, and government law.
Visit LawCrossing today to access thousands of exclusive legal job listings and advance your legal career.
