Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Brad Kohler
Brad Kohler (Republican Party) is running for election for Governor of Minnesota. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Kohler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Brad Kohler was born in Ohio. He graduated from Fairview High School. He attended Findlay College and Langston University. His career experience includes working as a business founder and inventer.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Minnesota gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Governor of Minnesota
The following candidates are running in the general election for Governor of Minnesota on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Tim Walz (D) | |
![]() | Thomas Evenstad (R) ![]() | |
![]() | Scott Jensen (R) | |
Jeff Johnson (R) | ||
![]() | Brad Kohler (R) ![]() | |
Phillip Parrish (R) | ||
Kendall Qualls (R) |
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2024
County commission
See also: Municipal elections in Hennepin County, Minnesota (2024)
General election
General election for Hennepin County Commission District 7
Incumbent Kevin Anderson defeated Brad Kohler in the general election for Hennepin County Commission District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kevin Anderson (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 55.3 | 46,787 |
![]() | Brad Kohler (Nonpartisan) | 43.9 | 37,165 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 632 |
Total votes: 84,584 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kevin Anderson and Brad Kohler advanced from the primary for Hennepin County Commission District 7.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kohler in this election.
U.S. House
See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024
Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Republican primary)
Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3
Kelly Morrison defeated Tad Jude in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kelly Morrison (D) | 58.4 | 240,209 |
![]() | Tad Jude (R) ![]() | 41.5 | 170,427 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 504 |
Total votes: 411,140 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kelly Morrison advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ron Harris (D)
- Dean Phillips (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Tad Jude advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Blaize Harty (R)
- Quentin Wittrock (R)
- Brad Kohler (R)
- James Page (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kohler in this election.
2022
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Minnesota State Senate District 38
Susan Pha defeated Brad Kohler and Mary O'Connor in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 38 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Susan Pha (D) | 63.9 | 14,116 |
![]() | Brad Kohler (R) ![]() | 28.7 | 6,337 | |
![]() | Mary O'Connor (Legal Marijuana Now Party) | 7.3 | 1,602 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 33 |
Total votes: 22,088 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 38
Susan Pha defeated Huldah Hiltsley in the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 38 on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Susan Pha | 61.6 | 3,100 |
![]() | Huldah Hiltsley ![]() | 38.4 | 1,930 |
Total votes: 5,030 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 38
Brad Kohler advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 38 on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Brad Kohler ![]() | 100.0 | 1,506 |
Total votes: 1,506 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election
Legal Marijuana Now Party primary for Minnesota State Senate District 38
Mary O'Connor advanced from the Legal Marijuana Now Party primary for Minnesota State Senate District 38 on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Mary O'Connor | 100.0 | 55 |
Total votes: 55 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Campaign finance
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Brad Kohler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kohler's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Collapse all
|- 1. Minnesota Needs a Fighter, Not a Politician I’ve fought in the UFC and built businesses from the ground up. I know what it takes to win and lead. I’m not here to play politics — I’m here to fix what’s broken. I’ll fight to end corruption, stop rising crime, and return power to the people of Minnesota. We need leadership that works for everyday Minnesotans, not career insiders.
- 2. Lower Taxes, More Freedom I will eliminate the state income tax, end property taxes, and reduce car tabs to $99. It’s time Minnesotans keep more of what they earn. I’ll cut red tape for businesses and protect your rights — from the Second Amendment to parental control in education. I believe freedom and affordability go hand in hand.
- 3. Protect Kids, Empower Parents I’ll fight to protect girls’ sports, stop gender ideology in schools, and ban early transition surgeries for minors. Parents deserve to be the decision-makers in their children’s lives. I’ll expand school choice, improve vocational training, and make sure every child in Minnesota has a path to succeed — without politics in the classroom.
What made him even more powerful as a leader was his character. He never once used a cuss word, but commanded total respect because of how he carried himself. His strength came from integrity, not intimidation.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just talk, I act. I’ve stood up to bullies in the cage and I’m ready to stand up to political corruption, wasteful spending, and policies that hurt working families. I’ve learned to lead from the front, not from behind a desk. I stay calm under pressure, I take responsibility for outcomes, and I surround myself with people who aren’t afraid to speak the truth.
I didn’t come from wealth or politics. I came from discipline, grit, and doing the hard work when no one was watching. If people look back and say, “Brad Kohler did exactly what he said he would do,” that’s a legacy I’d be proud of.
That book deeply resonated with me because it’s not just about overcoming physical pain, it’s about overcoming fear, doubt, and the limits others place on you. It’s about making a choice to live boldly, lead with courage, and inspire others through action.
That’s the kind of character I relate to as someone who doesn’t back down from a fight, who inspires others by example, and who leads not with ego, but with purpose. He reminds us that real leadership is about sacrifice, service, and standing up when others sit down. In today’s political world, we could use a little more Maximus.
Whether it was in the wrestling room, the UFC cage, or in business, I’ve seen what’s possible when people drop their excuses and choose courage over comfort. But getting others to believe that has been a challenge. I’ve made it my mission to show by example to fight for something bigger than myself, and to remind people that unity is more powerful than any obstacle.
Too often, Minnesota’s governors have delegated authority without oversight which leads to fraud, waste, and a growing disconnect between government and the people. I believe in hands-on leadership, but also in empowering the right people and holding them responsible for performance. A Governor should not micromanage but must stay engaged, ask tough questions, demand measurable results, and never let bureaucracy operate unchecked.
This power shouldn’t be used out of spite or politics, it should be used with precision and purpose. My philosophy is simple: if it’s not transparent, necessary, and effective, it doesn’t belong in the budget. The people of Minnesota deserve a Governor who will scrutinize every dollar and say “no” when the legislature won’t.
As Governor, I’ll work with legislators who are willing to put Minnesotans first. I won’t tolerate backroom deals or last-minute giveaways buried in thousand-page bills. I’ll push for regular communication, public accountability, and a return to common-sense lawmaking. At the end of the day, our job is to serve the people and that requires both strong leadership and constructive collaboration.
I’m also proud of Minnesota’s diversity from the immigrant communities chasing the American Dream to multi-generational families rooted in every corner of the state. Our differences are a strength, but our shared tenacity is what makes us Minnesotan.
We must rebuild that trust by demanding transparency, holding leaders accountable, and putting the needs of Minnesotans first. At the same time, we have to revive prosperity, not just for the wealthy or the well-connected, but for working families, small businesses, and young people trying to build a future here. That means lowering taxes, reducing government overreach, and making Minnesota a place where opportunity is real again. Without trust and prosperity, nothing else can stand.
Because they don’t have the guts.
As Governor, I would support clear checks and balances: emergency powers should expire after a short, defined period unless extended by a vote of the legislature. Transparency is key and any use of emergency powers should be explained publicly, with clear goals and regular updates.
As Governor, I will require full audits of state agencies, publish real-time spending dashboards, and explore blockchain-based tracking for public contracts to prevent fraud and ensure every transaction is visible and secure. I’ll establish Citizen Oversight Committees made up of everyday Minnesotans to review state budgets, investigate abuse, and ensure our government works for the people, not itself.
Ballot initiatives create a vital check on political gridlock and special interest influence. They can help restore trust in government by allowing citizens to bypass career politicians who are more focused on party agendas than real solutions. Of course, the process must be well-regulated to ensure transparency, truth in advertising, and protection against fraud or manipulation but giving the people more power is never a bad idea.
As Governor, I won’t pass the blame or hide behind bureaucracy. I’ll lead from the front with courage, clarity, and common sense. That means standing up for parents, backing law enforcement, protecting your rights, and rebuilding trust in state government. I believe leadership is earned, not inherited. The Governor should be the most accountable person in the state. Minnesotans deserve someone who will fight for them and I’m built for that fight.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2024
County commission
Brad Kohler did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
U.S. House
Brad Kohler did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Video for Ballotpedia
Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released June 24, 2022 |
Brad Kohler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kohler's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Collapse all
|I love helping people and networking. Bringing people together to achieve goals is a joy. Our community has been suffering significantly these last few years. Crime is at an all-time high, inflation is making daily life for many families a struggle, the systems that we have in place are failing us, and the most vulnerable people are falling through the cracks.
I will work to reduce crime and assist local businesses to thrive once again so families can make enough money to support themselves. Unlike many of our past "leaders", I'm NOT a guy who just talks about it, I'm going to get it done.
We deserve better. I'm looking forward to making our community a safe, thriving, and unified place for everyone.- I'm not your conventional Politician. I'm not going to talk about getting things done. I will actually get them done.
- Our leaders have failed us. Things are not getting better. We must do things differently to better our next generation.
- Get involved and Vote
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Candidate Governor of Minnesota |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 18, 2025