Chris Madel, a Minneapolis-based attorney and Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, today formally dropped out of the gubernatorial contest. Read his full announcement here. His fears represented the larger ramifications of the Trump administration’s increased immigration enforcement raids, including the latest ICE raid effort, dubbed Operation Metro Surge.
Madel officially kicked off his campaign in December, hoping to bring a grassroots campaign focused on the issues that matter to everyday Minnesotans. Recent changes concerning U.S. immigration policy made it necessary to rethink his candidacy. In his announcement, he expressed deep concerns about what he termed a “federal retribution on the citizens of our state” and the negative implications of such policies for Republican candidates statewide.
While campaigning, Madel defended ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Beyond commerce, he personally engaged with the U.S. citizens wrongfully detained by ICE in Minnesota. As he talked about his own withdrawal, he opened up these experiences. He called attention to how extraordinarily often these detentions occurred “because of the color of their skin.” He expressed dismay at the fear faced by many individuals in the community, saying, “United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear.”
Madel criticized the approach taken by national Republicans, asserting that it has created barriers for candidates like him in Minnesota. He stated, “National Republicans have made it nearly impossible for a Republican to win a statewide election in Minnesota.” This sentiment illustrates an increasing divide within the GOP in terms of immigration policy and its impact on elections at the state level.
Madel responded to the idea that some incidents cited are just examples of bad ICE enforcement, calling them pre-textual. He went on the record telling the media, “Driving while Hispanic is not a crime.” He continued by pointing out how crazy it was that Americans would have to start carrying papers with them to show they’re citizens. American citizens are having to start carrying their papers like some dissident in Eastern Europe in the 1980s. That’s wrong,” he emphasized.
The former gubernatorial candidate reflected on the personal impact of his decision, noting that he must answer to his daughters regarding his actions. “At the end of the day, I have to look my daughters in the eye and tell them: ‘I believe I did what was right.’ And I am doing that today,” he declared.
Madel’s withdrawal occurs in the context of a considerable political storm over disparate immigration enforcement policies. He stressed that local leaders are fighting back hard. The governor, attorney general, and mayor of Minneapolis have each issued orders prohibiting state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agents. This position is a direct rejection of federal immigration enforcement tactics that many—including sworn law enforcement officers—argue disproportionately targeted communities of color.