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Lisa Demuth

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Lisa Demuth
Demuth in 2026
62nd Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 6, 2025
Preceded byMelissa Hortman
Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
January 3, 2023 – January 14, 2025
Preceded byKurt Daudt
Succeeded byMelissa Hortman
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 13A district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
Preceded byJeff Howe
Personal details
BornLisa Marie Pittman
(1967-02-10) February 10, 1967 (age 59)
Paynesville, Minnesota, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Nick Demuth
​
(m. 1991)​
Children4

Lisa Demuth (/ˈdeɪməθ/ DAY-məth;[1] née Pittman, born February 10, 1967)[2] is an American politician serving since 2025 as the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Demuth represents District 13A in central Minnesota, which includes the cities of St. Joseph and Cold Spring and parts of Stearns County. She has served since 2023 as leader of the House Republican caucus and from 2023 to 2025 as the minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives.[2]

In January 2025, House Republicans voted to elect Demuth Speaker of the House. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum had not been present, invalidating Demuth's election.[3][4][5] On February 5, 2025, the two major parties reached an agreement to end a Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party boycott of the legislative session; the agreement provided that Demuth would become speaker of the House.[6][7] She was elected to the role on February 6,[8] becoming the first Black person to become speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.[9]

On August 11, 2026, Demuth won the Republican nomination for governor of Minnesota.[10] If elected, she would be the first African-American and first female governor of Minnesota, as well as the first African-American female governor of any U.S. state in history.

Early life, education, and career

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Demuth was born Lisa Marie Pittman in Paynesville, Minnesota.[11] She graduated from Bloomington Kennedy High School.[12] Demuth is biracial: her father is Black, and her mother is white. Demuth experienced racism during her childhood.[13]

Demuth co-owns and manages commercial property with her husband, Nick. She was elected to the Rocori school board as a write-in candidate in 2007 and was reelected twice.[12][14]

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Demuth was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018. She was recruited to run by the former representative for 13A, Jeff Howe, who was stepping down to run for the Minnesota Senate.[15] During the 2021-22 legislative session, Demuth served as an assistant minority leader in the House.[2] She opposes abortion and supported fetal heartbeat legislation in the Minnesota House.[16]

After the 2022 Minnesota House of Representatives Election saw Republicans fail to flip the House from Democratic control, the Republican caucus elected Demuth minority leader. She has portrayed herself as more collaborative and calmer than her predecessor, Kurt Daudt. According to the American Conservative Union's scorecard, Demuth was ranked as less conservative than the average Republican legislator.[16]

Demuth is the first African American and first biracial person to serve as minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives and the House Republican caucus.[2] According to Demuth, she asked fellow legislators to pick her based on her qualifications, not her race.[17]

2025 speaker dispute

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In the opening session of the 94th Minnesota Legislature on January 14, 2025, only the 67 elected House Republicans attended. The 66 elected DFL members were absent in an effort to prevent a quorum.[18] Secretary of State Steve Simon presided over the chamber and left, ruling that there was no quorum. Republican members proceeded to elect Demuth as Speaker of the House and continued with normal legislative business for two weeks with Demuth presiding.[19] On January 24, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that because of the absence of a quorum, Demuth's election and all action that followed were invalid.[5] On February 5, 2025, the two parties reached an agreement to end the DFL boycott of the legislative session that included making Demuth speaker.[6][7]

2026 Minnesota gubernatorial campaign

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In November 2025, Demuth announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election and selected attorney Ryan Wilson as her running mate.[20] Demuth's campaign gained attention for its PAC's acceptance of $1.1 million in donations from billionaire Richard Uihlein, who owns the shipping business Uline.[21][22]

Political positions

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Administration

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During her 2026 gubernatorial campaign, Demuth advocated the creation of a nonpartisan "Office of Inspector General", which would investigate fraud in Minnesota government agencies. This was a response to the 2020s Minnesota fraud scandals.[23] In early 2025, Demuth introduced bill HF1 with other Republican leaders. As of May 2026, an updated bipartisan bill was approved by the Minnesota House of Representatives.[24][25]

In the 2026 Minnesota Public Radio voter guide, Demuth said Minnesota had endured "16 years of failed Democrat leadership in the executive branch".[26]

Economy

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Demuth has expressed interest in growing Iron Range mining operations and reducing permitting timelines.[23]

Education

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Citing the decline in Minnesota education ratings in the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation state rankings, Demuth has said she would refocus schools on core subjects like reading, math, writing, and science. She also supports a federal scholarship tax credit program, arguing that it will expand educational opportunities for struggling students.[27] In 2025, she sponsored a state bill that would have created an Education Savings Account (ESA) program that allowed eligible students from low-income households to receive state funding for educational expenses.[28] She opposes "woke gender and racial ideology" in schools, and wants to raise Minnesota's reading proficiency rates.[23]

Energy

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Demuth wants to repeal Minnesota's ban on nuclear energy.[23]

Foreign affairs

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During her 2026 gubernatorial campaign, Demuth advocated decreasing reliance on China and Russia for precious metal needs.[23]

Public safety

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Demuth has advocated for tougher sentences for recidivists.[23][29]

Taxation and social welfare

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Demuth wants to reduce income tax for low-income tax brackets, decrease car tab fees, and end taxes on social security.[23] She supports implementing an optional local sales tax to help reduce property taxes.[30]

Voting rights

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Demuth is a proponent of voter identification laws.[26]

Electoral history

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2018 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 13A[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lisa Demuth 11,348 61.01%
Democratic (DFL) Jim Read 7,243 38.94%
2020 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 13A[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lisa Demuth 16,056 70.75%
Democratic (DFL) Katy Westlund 6,610 29.13%
2022 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 13A[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lisa Demuth 15,190 74.01%
Democratic (DFL) Andrea Robinson 5,324 25.94%

Personal life

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Demuth married Nick Demuth in 1991.[34] They reside in Cold Spring, Minnesota, and have four children.[2] All their children were on campus when a gunman killed two students in the 2003 Rocori High School shooting.[35][36]

References

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  1. ↑ "Name Pronunciation Guide for House Members 2023". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Demuth, Lisa". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Republicans override Simon's adjournment of House, elect Demuth as speaker". ABC 6 News. January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Democrats boycott first day of Minnesota House session but GOP votes to appoint speaker anyway". The Associated Press. January 14, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Jacobsen, Jeremiah (January 24, 2025). "MN Supreme Court rules on Minnesota House quorum, effectively voiding GOP action thus far". MPR News. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  6. 1 2 KTTC Staff (February 6, 2025). "UPDATE: Agreement appears to be reached in Minnesota House, Demuth set to be speaker". KTTC. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Faircloth, Ryan (February 6, 2025). "Democrats and Republicans reach deal to end Minnesota House stalemate". www.startribune.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  8. ↑ Schmidt, Corey (February 6, 2025). "Demuth chosen as Minnesota House speaker as power-sharing agreement ends DFL boycott". St Cloud Times. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  9. ↑ Demko, Paul (February 26, 2025). "'Minnesota Miracle' upended by new Republican House speaker". POLITICO. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  10. ↑ Londoño, Ernesto (August 12, 2026). "Lisa Demuth Wins Republican Primary for Governor of Minnesota" – via NYTimes.com.
  11. ↑ Libraries, University of Minnesota. "Minnesota Historical Election Archive". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Knaak, Mike (October 19, 2018). "House 13A candidates focus on health care, jobs - The News Leaders". The Newsleaders. Von Meyer Publishing. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ Hertel, Nora G. (May 22, 2020). "Central Minnesota legislators reflect on how life experience, race, gender impact service". St. Cloud Times.
  14. ↑ Hertel, Nora G. (June 6, 2018). "Rocori school board member Lisa Demuth vies for Rep. Jeff Howe's legislative seat". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  15. ↑ Session Interview (Video) 2019 House Interview. "Video - Minnesota Legislature". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved January 15, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. 1 2 "New House Republican leader Lisa Demuth vows 'calm and conversational' style". MinnPost. December 5, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  17. ↑ Olson, Rochelle. "Lisa Demuth is first woman, person of color to lead Minnesota House GOP caucus". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  18. ↑ Bierschbach, Briana; Olson, Rochelle; Faircloth, Ryan (January 14, 2025). "Minnesota House Democrats boycott first day of session, but Republicans move forward anyway". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  19. ↑ Hubbard, Rob (January 14, 2025). "Simon says no quorum, Republicans elect Demuth speaker". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  20. ↑ Bakst, Brian (November 10, 2025). "Minnesota Republican governor candidate Lisa Demuth picks Ryan Wilson as running mate". MPR News. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  21. ↑ Griffith, Michelle (July 1, 2026). "Who is the billionaire supporting Lisa Demuth's campaign for Minnesota governor?". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  22. ↑ "The billionaire backing Lisa Demuth's run for governor". MinnPost. July 2, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lisa Demuth for Governor Committee. "Priorities". Lisa Demuth. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  24. ↑ Kite, Allison (May 11, 2026). "Lawmakers approve independent office to investigate Minnesota fraud". Minnesota Star Tribune.
  25. ↑ Cummings, Caroline (May 8, 2026). "Minnesota House approves statewide Office of Inspector General to fight fraud". CBS News. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Build your ballot: Minnesota's 2026 primary election". MPR News. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Demuth Says State Needs to Focus More on Reading and Math". Ingstad Minnesota Radio Network. May 8, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  28. ↑ "HF19". Office of the Revisor of Statutes. February 6, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  29. ↑ Griffith, Michelle (June 2, 2026). "Lisa Demuth to run in GOP primary for governor, setting up three-way election in August". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Demuth makes appearance in New Ulm". CNHI. July 23, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  31. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State. "2018 Results for State Representative District 13A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  32. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State. "2020 Results for State Representative District 13A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  33. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State. "2022 Results for State Representative District 13A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  34. ↑ "What to know about Lisa Demuth, Minnesota's GOP nominee for governor". The Minnesota Star Tribune.
  35. ↑ Chapman, Reg (May 17, 2025). "Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth's daughter criticizes her handling of gun control bill". CBS Minnesota. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  36. ↑ Orenstein, Walker (April 8, 2026). "How a 2003 school shooting is influencing the Minnesota House speaker's response to Annunciation". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
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