ST. PAUL — The top Republican in Minnesota state government, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, said Monday she hopes to win President Donald Trump’s endorsement in her bid to deny a third term to Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate.

Demuth kicked off her campaign at the state Capitol, where she became speaker under a power-sharing deal after the 2024 elections left the House tied at 67-67 and forced both parties to work together. She said she proved in the last legislative session that she was a strong conservative leader who could also navigate the challenges of working with Walz and other Democrats in a narrowly divided government.

“I have solid, conservative values that really do cross party lines,” Demuth said at a news conference. “It’s not just Republican values. They’re conservative values that are supported by many Minnesotans. If … President Trump would choose to give me his endorsement. I would definitely welcome that.”

White House officials did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on her chances of getting the president’s support. The Republican National Committee referred an inquiry to the White House. But Democrats were quick to tie Demuth to Trump.

“Fiercely aligned with Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda, a Lisa Demuth governorship would be disastrous for Minnesota,” the Walz campaign said in a fundraising mail to supporters.

Demuth and other Republicans in the race face a major hurdle: no Republican has won election to statewide office in Minnesota since 2006. But Walz faces a historical challenge of his own: no Minnesota governor has ever won a third consecutive four-year term.