LOWER SIOUX COMMUNITY — Controlling government spending, stopping fraud and election security were all topics discussed by Republican governor candidates speaking at a Redwood County forum this weekend. Four out of the six Republican candidates currently running in the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial race spoke at the event.

The Redwood County Republicans held the governor candidate forum Friday at the Jackpot Junction ballroom. Candidates Phillip Parrish, Brad Kohler, Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls participated in the forum. Candidates Jeff Johnson and Kristin Robbins were unable to attend the event, organizers said.

Reducing fraud and government spending were high on candidates’ priorities to ease tax burdens for Minnesotans in their first budget cycle.

“We have a spending problem,” Jensen said. Instead of state government being underfunded, Jensen told the audience, “You are overpaying.”

Jensen said he wanted to freeze government spending in Minnesota, and have 5% cuts to each department. “We have to freeze spending, and every line item is examined,” Jensen said.

Qualls said his tax policies would be “focused on growth and economic opportunity.” Qualls said he wanted to reduce the number of income tax brackets in Minnesota from four to two. The lower income bracket would be taxed at 3%, and the upper bracket would be taxed at 6%. Business taxes would also be reduced to 6%, he said.

Rooting out fraud in government programs would help taxpayers, Parrish said.

“We have to tackle the fraud,” he said. “Our state government has become a criminal enterprise.”

Parrish’s 100-day plan if he is elected governor also calls for cutting Minnesota’s gas tax by 5 cents a gallon, and for a proposed 5% income tax rate reduction.

Kohler said he proposed reduced income and property taxes, and cutting business taxes completely. Kohler said Minnesota needed to expand its revenue streams by encouraging growth in industries, including mining in the northern part of the state.

“We need to generate more revenue, not from just us,” Kohler said.

When asked how they would reduce crime, candidates said they supported funding for police, and some talked about possible ways to stop crime in the Twin Cities.

“We have to stop coddling the criminals and stop vilifying the victims,” Jensen said. Jensen said Minnesota needed to find more effective ways to punish youth involved in carjackings.

Qualls spoke about possible strategies, including hiring state law enforcement officers who could be deployed in the Twin Cities. “In less than two years, we’ll get our Minneapolis back,” he said.

Kohler said Minnesota needed to have incentives and training to hire needed law enforcement, and also suggested having retired military veterans or retired law enforcement help keep schools safe.

Parrish said merit-based hiring would help make sure quality law enforcement officers are hired. He referred to his 100-day plan, which called for eliminating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies across Minnesota.

Across the board, candidates had similar views on changing election laws in Minnesota. All four panelists said voters should have to show valid identification and citizenship status at the polls.

“Only citizens can vote in our country, and in the state of Minnesota,” Qualls said.

Candidates also supported going back to in-person voting.

“Other than for our military and some exceptions, mail-in ballots have to end,” Parrish said.

Candidates were also asked how the Republican Party could win state elections like the governor’s race. Panelists said one approach would be outreach to different voter demographics.

“I wanted to reach out to people who haven’t been reached out to before,” Kohler said. He said he was working to reach voters in Asian, Black and Hispanic communities. Jensen also said Republicans needed to find out how to communicate with young voters on social media, and reach out to women and mothers.

“We need to absolutely run the numbers,” Jensen said. He said Republicans would need “a strong ground game” in the election.

Qualls added that the party should look to people who don’t normally vote Republican. “Democrats are getting so far left, they’re leaving some of their people behind,” he said.

Parrish said he planned to develop a county ambassador program to do statewide outreach in his campaign. “All 87 counties will have a county ambassador,” he said.