Chris Madel has ended his long‑shot GOP bid for Minnesota governor, saying he can no longer “support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state.”
Mr. Madel, a first‑time candidate and prominent trial attorney, said he backs removing violent undocumented offenders from the country. But he argued that President Trump’s Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota “has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats” and has become an “unmitigated disaster.”
“United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear,” Mr. Madel said. “United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship; that’s wrong.”
He criticized federal immigration agents for tactics he described as unconstitutional.
“ICE authorized its agents to raid homes using a civil warrant that needs only be signed by a border patrol agent,” he said. “That’s unconstitutional, and it’s wrong.”
Mr. Madel said Hispanic and Asian American citizens are being stopped and detained “simply because of the color of their skin.”
“Driving while Hispanic is not a crime, neither is driving while Asian,” he said.
The announcement came days after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot and killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, sparking a new wave of protests.
Mr. Madel launched his campaign last month, emphasizing public safety, support for law enforcement and government efficiency. But in a video announcing his withdrawal, he said the national GOP has made it “nearly impossible” for a Republican to win statewide in Minnesota.
He also praised Mr. Trump for brokering an end to the Hamas‑Israel war and for pushing NATO allies to increase defense spending. He also criticized local leaders for putting state and local law enforcement in an unfair position by prohibiting them from working with their federal counterparts.
“Now, with that said, Operation Metro surge in Minnesota has been an unmitigated disaster,” Mr. Madel said.
