Weekend Reformer: Qualls’ running mate was at Jan. 6

Another reminder that we’re fundraising this week and next. Please give if you can. 

Early voting for Minnesota’s 2026 primary elections began this week. Madi McVan wrote up what you need to know, including who’s running and how to vote. 

Among the competitive statewide primaries: U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are facing off in the race for the U.S. Senate seat that will be left vacant by Tina Smith, who is retiring. The more progressive Flanagan won the endorsement after Craig dropped out of the endorsement process; Craig is gunning for votes outside of the party’s activist base. 

The Republican primary for governor is crowded after House Speaker Lisa Demuth and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell stayed in the race despite not receiving the party’s endorsement in May. 

The Star Tribune reported that Brian Nicholson, the running mate of the Republican-endorsed candidate for governor Kendall Qualls, was within the barricaded security perimeter at the U.S. Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on Congress. He was there after police ordered protestors to leave the area, according to a video in the article. 

Nicholson joined thousands of people who gathered to support President Donald Trump and his false claims that the 2020 election was “stolen” through election fraud. Nicholson hasn’t said much on whether he believes the election was legitimate. 

Qualls’ campaign recently navigated its own election integrity drama at the state GOP convention in May, where Republican activists gathered to endorse candidates. 

A malfunctioning voting system appeared to undercount votes before it was rebooted, leading to heated debate among Republicans over the integrity of the endorsement process for governor. 

Qualls, who was winning when the voting irregularities were discovered, expressed “complete confidence” in the endorsement process. (Demuth, at that point losing, cast doubt on the voting process, setting the stage for her decision to remain in the race.) 

Qualls and Nicholson eventually won the endorsement.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office has found a convenient workaround when it comes to disclosing police bodycams, Max Nesterak reported. If an officer is “undercover,” judges have deferred to the sheriff’s request that the video not be disseminated, even in open court, let alone to the public. Included in the story is a bystander video of a man punched and tased by two “undercover” detectives after he was pulled over for a broken brake light — the bodycam video was never released but Max obtained witness video. 

Six months ago, the U.S. Department of Justice issued six subpoenas for records relating to immigration enforcement from the offices of Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, as well as other state and city officials. A federal judge, Patrick Schiltz, nullified the subpoenas, writing that they were issued to “harass, coerce and retaliate,” Michelle Griffith reported. 

Only recently have scientists and policymakers discovered the importance of so-called “rough fish” or “trash fish” — such as drum, redhorse and buffalo, some of which live longer than 100 years — after decades of lumping them in with carp, an invasive species. Frank Bures reported from the field (the water) on these ecologically important species and shifting Minnesota regulations for fishing them, as well as a bowfishing association pushing back on new regulations. 

Dozens of unionized concessions workers picketed at Target Field during the Twins vs. Dodgers game on Monday as part of a one-day strike, the first in the stadium’s history, Max reported. Workers are seeking higher pay and health insurance. 

A proposal to expand a Morris-based dairy operation from roughly 8,000 cows to nearly 19,000 moved closer to construction this week with a key regulatory ruling, Claire Carlson reported. 

Minnesota exports to foreign countries were 8% lower in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same time last year, I reported. The drop was driven by a steep decline in fossil fuel products sales to Canada. 

The Reformer published the Spanish version of Madi’s story from last week on how one Minnesota family is managing life after deportation.

Reformer editor J. Patrick Coolican wrote about Schiltz’s ruling nullifying the DOJ’s subpoenas of records relating to immigration enforcement from state and city officials, highlighting Schiltz’s refusal to “bend the knee” to President Donald Trump. Patrick also pointed out that Schiltz “isn’t some radical lefty judge” — he was appointed by President George W. Bush and clerked for conservative icon Antonin Scalia. 

Chad Maschke, who runs an accountability Substack covering U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, Republican of the 6th District, wrote that Emmer frequently highlights the work of the House Oversight Committee — where his son Jack is chief counsel and has deposed famous witnesses — unless it involves the committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Marcus Schmit, executive director of NAMI Minnesota, wrote that Medicaid rules from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act requiring proof of work and more frequent renewals starting in 2027 will create barriers and cause people to lose access to healthcare, including mental health care. 

Reflecting on Pride Month, Richard Hurst, a Minneapolis-based writer, reminded us of the value of learning to “occupy the same civic space” as people we disagree with.

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