Alawyerfor the immigration officer who shot and killedRene Gooddropped out of Minnesota’s gubernatorial race on Monday, breaking with many fellow Republicans and calling President Donald Trump’s immigration operation in the state an “unmitigated disaster.”
Chris Madel’s surprising move comes in the middlegrowing callsof Republicans to investigate federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after aUS Border Patrol agentdeadlyshot Alex Pretti in Minneapolison Saturday.
Madel went a step further than most Republicans in his video, saying that while he supports the goal of deporting “the worst of the worst” from Minnesota, he thinks the Trump administrationimmigration enforcement operationin the Twin Cities has gone too far.
“I cannot support national Republicans’ retaliation against the citizens of our state,” Madel said. “I cannot consider myself a member of a party that would do that.”
Madel said American citizens, “especially people of color, are living in fear.”
“United States citizens carry papers to prove their citizenship,” Madel said. “That’s wrong.”
Madel said he has personally heard from local Asian and Hispanic law enforcement officers who have been apprehended by ICE.
“I have read and spoken to help countless American citizens detained in Minnesota because of the color of their skin,” Madel said.
He also said it was unconstitutional and wrong for federal officers to “raid homes” using onecivil commandinstead of oneissued by a judge.
Madel belonged to a large group of candidatessearch to replace Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who dropped his re-election bid earlier this month. Other Republican candidates include the founder and CEO of MyPillowMike Lindellan election denier close to Trump; MinnesotaSpeaker of the House of Representatives Lisa Demuth;Dr. Scott Jensena former senator who was the party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2022; and State Rep. Kristin Robbins.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has filed paperwork but has yet to publicly launch a campaign to succeed Walz.
Madel described himself as a “pragmatist” in his Monday video on the social platform
Madel did not immediately return a text message seeking comment.
Madel, 59, was onepolitical newcomermaking his first run for public office. He entered the race on December 1.
Madel brought 30 years of experience as a lawyer to the race, including corporate corruption cases. Madel also defended law enforcement officers, including the 2024 case of a Minnesota state trooper who fatally shot a black man after a traffic stop. Prosecutors dropped charges against Trooper Ryan Londregan in the murder of Ricky Cobb II, saying the case would have been difficult to prove.
Madel referred to that victory often in his brief campaign for governor, including in his video outburst.
Republicans expected the race for governor to center on Walz, who at the time was seeking a third term amid questions about how his administrationdealing with welfare fraud. But the race changed dramatically on January 5 when Walz dropped out.
That same week, the Trump administration sent thousands of federal officers to Minnesota. ICE agentJonathan Rossshot Good two days later, on January 7, in Minneapolis.
Madel agreed to provide Ross with pro bono legal advice, although no criminal charges or civil lawsuits have been filed. Madel said he was honored to help Ross, especially during a gubernatorial campaign.
“Justice requires excellent legal representation,” Madel said.
Madel announced his decision to end his candidacy two days after a border guard officershot and killedPretti on Saturday in Minneapolis.
—By Scott Bauer, Associated Press
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