Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar traded accusations in their final debate, focusing on the state's $9 billion fraud scandal, rising gas prices, and health care costs. The candidates sparred over the legacy of outgoing Governor Tim Walz and the direction of state government as voters prepare for the upcoming election.
Demuth opened by calling Klobuchar a "status quo" candidate in a "state in crisis." She argued that a vote for Klobuchar amounts to a third term for Walz, whom she blamed for allowing the fraud to reach $9 billion. Demuth stated that she would fire all state commissioners on day one and replace them with experts to "change the culture of fraud."
Klobuchar rejected the "status quo" label, stating she hates the status quo. She distanced herself from Walz, noting that he should have caught the fraud earlier. "Tim Walz should have caught the fraud earlier and he should have done more," Klobuchar said. She emphasized that Walz is not seeking a third term and that she is the candidate on stage.
The debate turned to economic issues, specifically gas prices. Klobuchar linked high fuel costs to the War in Iran, arguing that stopping the conflict is the fastest way to lower prices at the pump. She criticized Demuth for previously blaming the Keystone pipeline and former President Barack Obama for economic struggles.
Demuth countered that high costs result from overspending by the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), which controlled state government in 2023 and 2024. She pointed to Klobuchar's vote against the Keystone pipeline, which she said would have brought in 830,000 barrels of oil to help supply. Demuth promised to right-size the state budget to make life more affordable and attract businesses.
Health care became a central point of contention as the candidates discussed the Affordable Care Act. Demuth argued that Klobuchar's support for the law has increased costs for Minnesotans. Klobuchar did not directly address the ACA in her response, instead accusing Demuth of being beholden to Big Pharma and citing her own record on health care issues.
The exchange intensified when Klobuchar mentioned Alex Smith, a 26-year-old Minnesotan who died while struggling to afford insulin. Klobuchar argued that Demuth had not done enough to lower insulin prices. Demuth responded by clarifying that she voted yes for the Alex Smith insulin bill in April 2020, which then-Governor Walz signed into law the next day.
Klobuchar, first elected to the Senate in 2006, was reelected in 2024 by nearly 16 points. Before her Senate tenure, she served twice as county attorney in Hennepin County and ran unsuccessfully for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Demuth has served in the Minnesota House since 2018. She has been the Republican leader in the chamber since early 2023 and has held the position of speaker for the past year and a half.