The GOP primary field for the 2026 election already includes Scott Jensen​ — who lost to Gov. Tim Walz by 8 percentage points in 2022 — and Kendall Qualls. Walz has yet to announce whether he'll run for a third term.

Robbins joins a GOP gubernatorial field that includes Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls, both of whom ran for governor in 2022. Former U.S. Naval intelligence officer Phillip Parrish and retired mixed martial arts fighter Brad Kohler are also running.

Republican state Rep. Kristin Robbins announced today she is running for governor of Minnesota, positioning herself as a challenger to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.