Chris Madel, an attorney who provided legal support to a federal immigration officer involved in the shooting death of Renee Good, announced his withdrawal from the Minnesota governor's race on Monday. His departure marked a distinctive stance within the Republican field as he openly condemned the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, describing them as an "unmitigated disaster." This announcement comes amid rising calls from Republican members for a thorough inquiry into federal immigration practices statewide after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this past weekend.
In a video statement shared on the social platform X, Madel, a political newcomer with 30 years of legal experience, expressed support for the deportation of the most dangerous criminals but asserted that the current approach has exceeded acceptable limits. He said, "I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state," and refused to identify as part of a political party endorsing such measures.
Madel highlighted concerns regarding American citizens, particularly those of color, who purportedly live in fear and face the burden of carrying documentation to prove their citizenship—a practice he declared fundamentally wrong. He cited personal accounts from local Asian and Hispanic law enforcement officers detained by ICE and spoke of numerous United States citizens in Minnesota who have faced detention due to their skin color.
Furthermore, Madel criticized the constitutional validity of federal officers conducting home raids under civil warrants rather than judicially authorized ones, condemning the practice as both illegal and unethical.
Previously, Madel entered the gubernatorial race on December 1, aiming to succeed Democratic Governor Tim Walz, who recently decided against seeking reelection. The GOP field also includes prominent figures such as MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former state senator Dr. Scott Jensen, and state Representative Kristin Robbins. Democrat Amy Klobuchar has filed to run but has yet to officially launch her campaign.
Throughout his campaign, Madel recounted his legal career defending law enforcement officers, referencing his recent involvement in a high-profile 2024 case where charges against a Minnesota state trooper were dropped following the fatal shooting of a Black man during a traffic stop. He portrayed himself as a pragmatist and criticized national Republicans for policies making it difficult for a Republican to win statewide office in Minnesota. Madel did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Shortly after Governor Walz exited the race on January 5, the Trump administration sent thousands of federal officers to Minnesota. Just two days later, ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis. Madel volunteered to provide Ross with pro bono legal representation, acknowledging the importance of strong defense during legal proceedings, especially during his own gubernatorial campaign.
Madel ended his candidacy two days after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on the preceding Saturday, signaling a dramatic shift in his political trajectory tied closely to recent events involving federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.