Public Statement from Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
July 13, 2025
I have received several inquiries from concerned Minnesotans regarding my stance on governing our state in a way that upholds freedom and equality for all, particularly in light of recent federal investigations into state hiring practices, historical ties to divisive activism, and institutional policies that may foster bias. These questions raise valid issues about discrimination based on race and sex, the tolerance of fringe violence, and the spread of inequitable programs—concerns that deserve a direct and thoughtful response. As a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander with 21 years in intelligence and counterterrorism, an educator, farmer, and whistleblower on fraud, I am committed to addressing these head-on with transparency and action.
Without reservation, I affirm that I will govern on behalf of a state of free and equal people. My vision for Minnesota is grounded in servant leadership, where every citizen—regardless of race, sex, background, or belief—is treated with dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity under the law. As outlined on my campaign website, parrish4mn.com, “I’m running to restore integrity, protect our freedoms, and rebuild a stronger Minnesota for all of us.” This means rejecting agendas that divide us by identity and ensuring government acts as a steward of the people’s trust, not a vehicle for favoritism or exclusion.
These concerns are serious and well-substantiated, stemming from policies that, while perhaps well-intentioned, have led to unhealthy outcomes like division and eroded trust. For example, the U.S. Department of Justice’s July 10, 2025, investigation into the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ “hiring justification” policy underscores potential Title VII violations. This policy mandates justifications for hiring “non-underrepresented” candidates—excluding certain racial groups and males—in underrepresented roles, with risks of discipline up to termination. As Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Minnesotans deserve to have their state government employees hired based on merit, not based on illegal DEI,” and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon noted that such biases invite federal scrutiny.
Enabling statutes like Minnesota Statute §43A.191 require affirmative action plans with justifications for “nonaffirmative action hires” and targeted recruitment for protected groups, while §363A.36 demands compliance certificates for state contractors, potentially imposing race- and sex-based preferences that risk reverse discrimination. Historical issues, such as the 1995 State v. Knutson case (No. C8-95-1093), highlight tolerance for fringe violence: The case arose from a violent rally organized by militant groups like Anti-Racist Action, involving current officials like Attorney General Keith Ellison (defending the accused) and Hennepin County Attorney Michael O. Freeman amid reports of aggression. Programs like the Saint Paul Blueprint for Safety, pioneered around 2010 as a domestic violence response model, have also been critiqued for potential “racial justification” in enforcement, leading to uneven outcomes that spread institutional inequities.
To research and correct these failings, my administration will enact a targeted plan emphasizing accountability, reform, and equality:
1. Independent Audit and Research: I will immediately form a bipartisan task force of legal experts, civil rights advocates, and community leaders to audit affirmative action and DEI policies, including those under §§43A.191 and 363A.36, and the DHS framework. This will include data analysis on hiring, contracting, and program impacts over the past decade, anonymous surveys, and collaboration with the DOJ to ensure Title VII compliance while supporting true equal opportunity.
2. Merit-Based Policy Reforms: Audit findings will guide revisions to prioritize qualifications over demographics, such as implementing blind recruitment and refocusing affirmative action on inclusive outreach and training without quotas. Public safety models like the Blueprint for Safety will undergo equity reviews and bias training to ensure fair application.
3. Enhanced Accountability: A new Office of Government Integrity will monitor policies ongoing, with public reports and strengthened whistleblower protections—drawing from my fraud-fighting experience—to prevent discrimination or favoritism.
4. Community Dialogue: Statewide forums will engage diverse stakeholders to rebuild trust and promote shared values of freedom and unity.
This approach isn’t about undoing progress but ensuring it serves everyone equally. Minnesota deserves leadership that unites us in truth and fairness. I invite you to join this effort at parrish4mn.com. Together, we will build a stronger, brighter future for all.
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