MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has her sights set on fraud as the state’s next legislative session approaches and she continues her run for Minnesota governor.
Demuth, R-Cold Spring, visited Moorhead’s D-S Beverages earlier this week where she spoke with business and community leaders before touring the building.
Much of Demuth’s gubernatorial campaign messaging has been around fraud. The U.S. The Attorney’s Office has estimated that the scope of Medicaid fraud in Minnesota could reach $9 billion in federal funds lost. State officials have said they did not have evidence to suggest the figure.
“Clearly it’s not at the top of the news cycle right now, but to know that we’ve lost almost $9 billion, potentially, in fraud, and programs haven’t changed, is a focus of everything,” Demuth said.
The Minnesota Legislature convenes Feb. 17. Demuth, 58, said she expects to see a bill to establish an Office of Inspector General come forward again to investigate fraud. During the 2025 session, the bill passed the Senate, but not the House of Representatives.
If elected as governor, Demuth said Ryan Wilson, her running mate, will lead fraud-fighting efforts.
Demuth brought the topic back to fraud when she was asked how violence related to federal immigration enforcement and public backlash against enforcement activities will affect Republican chances of winning the governor’s seat.
Minnesotans are frustrated that money handled by the state has been lost to fraud, she said.
“They want to be able to afford their lives, have safe communities and move forward,” Demuth said. “So as far as how things are affecting my run for governor, I’m bringing that common sense that has been lacking here in the state of Minnesota.”
She said it is important for the state government to work with the federal government as it enforces federal immigration laws. After President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke last week, local law enforcement arrested people protesting outside of a Maple Grove hotel where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were staying, she said.
“I have to believe that had something to do with the fact that our governor and our president were talking, and that is a good thing,” Demuth said.
Demuth and Wilson planned to visit eight cities between the two of them ahead of precinct caucuses on Tuesday. The tour also included stops in St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Crookston, Bemidji, New Ulm and Worthington.
As speaker of the House and a candidate for governor, Demuth said she does not want to forget about other areas of the state.
“We have to make sure, and I have insisted, that I would understand our state and what matters to each area better,” Demuth said.
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