By Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
In the heart of Minnesota, where hard-working families from the Iron Range to the Twin Cities are feeling the squeeze of high taxes, overregulation, and policies that prioritize ideology over opportunity, my campaign is all about listening and taking action. As a 21-year Navy veteran with combat experience in intelligence and counter-terrorism, I’ve dedicated my life to serving others—and now, I’m running for Governor to bring that same servant leadership to our state. Recently, on X (formerly Twitter), I’ve been directly engaging with Minnesotans who are raising critical questions about our future. These conversations aren’t just talk; they’re a blueprint for how my administration will fight for the poor and middle class by cutting waste, creating jobs, and restoring common sense to government. Let me share a summary of these key interactions and how they underscore my Bold 100-Day Plan to reclaim Minnesota for everyday families.
It all started with a thoughtful post from @MinnesotaMiners, a group advocating for responsible resource use and conservative values. They tagged me and another candidate, asking pointed questions: What will I do to reduce overregulation and taxes on businesses? How will I support the mining industry in Northeast Minnesota and create much-needed jobs? And will I eliminate DEI policies? These are the kinds of concerns that resonate deeply with the working-class families who built this state—miners, manufacturers, and small business owners struggling under burdensome rules and high costs.
In my response, I outlined a clear path forward: As Governor, I’ll launch a comprehensive audit of all state agencies to eliminate redundant bureaucracy and streamline permitting processes. This will empower productive public servants while slashing wasteful spending that burdens taxpayers. For the mining sector, I’ll roll back excessive environmental regulations that stifle growth, expedite project approvals, invest in infrastructure, and promote nuclear energy for reliable, low-cost power. This isn’t just about industry—it’s about creating thousands of high-paying jobs in the Iron Range, countering Governor Walz’s contradictory policies that have allowed corporate takeovers and hindered local employment. And yes, I’ll eliminate DEI policies across state government, replacing them with merit-based systems that unite us around hard work and equality under the law, not divisive ideologies. These steps are straight from my campaign platform at parrish4mn.com, designed to lift up the middle class by fostering innovation and economic growth without compromising our natural resources.
This post sparked a lively thread, with several Minnesotans chiming in to amplify their worries. @Blueeyes763, an American mom and patriot, asked if candidates support abolishing property taxes altogether—a question that hits home for countless families facing skyrocketing bills that make homeownership feel out of reach. While fully abolishing property taxes isn’t feasible without shifting the burden to sales or income taxes (which could hurt working families even more) or cutting essential services like schools and roads, I pledged real relief: an immediate 10% reduction through a special legislative session, funded by cutting government bloat. To go further, my plan includes audits to root out fraud, homestead exemptions and assessment caps like those in other states, boosting growth via mining and nuclear investments to expand the tax base, and exploring voter-approved revenue options for non-essentials. My Navy-honed fiscal discipline will ensure these changes benefit the poor and middle class, making Minnesota affordable again for families like hers.
@VeteranFather, a fellow veteran and USMC dad, expressed frustration that Republican candidates seem to ignore mining and the Iron Range in favor of urban issues. This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth in my campaign. I directly addressed it by highlighting my priorities for Northeast Minnesota: cutting red tape, expediting permits, and protecting against job-killing corporate takeovers. My Bold 100-Day Plan includes a moratorium on new regulations, a 5-cent gas tax cut to lower operational costs, and investments in small modular nuclear reactors for cheap energy. We’ll phase out inefficient subsidies, expand workforce training, and slash up to $160 million in agency waste to fund tax relief—all while ensuring every region of Minnesota thrives. As a veteran myself, I know the value of strategic planning, and I’m committed to fighting for rural and working-class communities that have been left behind under current leadership.
@JoelBlackford1 brought a fiery perspective, noting that Minnesota needs an “alpha” leader like President Trump to overwhelm adversaries with winning issues that resonate with voters and rattle the media and DFL establishment. He emphasized focusing on 80-20 issues like crime, high taxes, deregulation, and school failures. I couldn’t agree more—my campaign is built on bold action. As that fighter with Navy combat experience, I’ll call a special session for tax cuts, audit agencies to eliminate waste, expedite Iron Range mining for job creation, invest in nuclear power, and end divisive DEI mandates in favor of merit-based unity. We’ll hit hard on family values, border security, and economic growth, making Big Media and Big DFL squirm while delivering results for the middle class who deserve pothole-free roads, safe streets, and thriving small businesses.
Finally, @MN_Sense humorously claimed “no plan” in response to the original questions—a cheeky nudge that I met with kindness and a dash of Minnesota nice (comparing it to denying our love for hotdish!). But plans are what I do best. I pointed them to parrish4mn.com for my rock-solid strategy: audits to slash bureaucracy, tax relief including property and gas tax reductions, expedited mining approvals with nuclear support, and DEI elimination for merit-driven governance. These aren’t abstract ideas—they’re actionable steps to ease burdens on businesses and families, create jobs, and restore integrity.
Through these exchanges, my team and I are proving we’re out there every day, listening to real Minnesotans—the miners putting food on the table, the moms worried about property taxes, the veterans demanding regional equity, and the everyday folks tired of empty promises. We’re not just responding; we’re building a movement to fight for the hard-working poor and middle class who’ve been crushed by high-tax liberals and corporate cronies. My Bold 100-Day Plan isn’t timid—it’s a roadmap to lower taxes, unleash economic potential, and prioritize people over politics.
If these issues hit home for you, join us. Visit parrish4mn.com to read the full platform, volunteer, or donate. Together, we’ll reclaim Minnesota’s future for families who work hard and play by the rules. What’s your top concern? Let’s talk—I’m listening.
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
#ParrishForGovernor #MNStrong #FightingForYou
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