Statement from Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
As a candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, I have chosen not to participate in the state’s Political Contribution Refund (PCR) program for my campaign fundraising at parrish4mn.com. This decision reflects my commitment to an independent, grassroots-driven campaign free from state-imposed spending limits. While contributions to my campaign are not eligible for the PCR, I strongly encourage Minnesotans to take full advantage of this program by supporting their local Basic Political Operating Units (BPOUs) or other recognized political party organizations. The PCR allows eligible Minnesota voters to receive a refund of up to $75 per individual (or $150 for a married couple filing jointly) on qualifying political contributions made in a calendar year, such as 2025, with applications due by April 15 of the following year and requiring official receipts (Form EP-3) from the recipient.
To clarify the PCR rules: The program applies to two main categories of recipients, with distinct requirements.
• Contributions to Candidates: These must be to qualified candidates running for state offices, including governor/lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, or state legislature. For a candidate’s contributions to qualify for PCR, the candidate must sign an agreement with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to adhere to state campaign spending limits. This requirement can restrict a campaign’s flexibility in fundraising and expenditures.
• Contributions to Political Parties or Organizations: These include donations to recognized Minnesota political parties (e.g., Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Republican Party of Minnesota, Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party, Legal Marijuana Now Party, and Libertarian Party of Minnesota) or their local units, such as precinct, city, county, congressional, or legislative district organizations. BPOUs—grassroots local party structures at the county or district level—are automatically eligible under these party units, requiring no additional opt-in agreements, unlike candidates.
Both categories share the same refund limits and contributor eligibility rules (e.g., eligible Minnesota voter, U.S. citizen, 18+, not disqualified by guardianship, incompetency, or unrestored felony rights). The refund is capped at the totals mentioned above, and contributors can combine donations across multiple eligible recipients in one application. The key distinction is that candidates must commit to spending limits, while party units, including BPOUs, qualify automatically if affiliated with a recognized party.
I urge Minnesotans to actively participate in the PCR program by contributing to their local BPOUs or other eligible political party organizations. These grassroots entities are the heart of our constitutional republic, empowering communities to fund programs that amplify local voices and foster meaningful engagement at the neighborhood, county, and district levels. By supporting these organizations, you not only strengthen local representation but also leverage the PCR to make your contribution go further, ensuring your voice shapes Minnesota’s future.
Our campaign—yours and mine—will be built on the collective strength of tens of thousands of hardworking Minnesotans through small, direct contributions at parrish4mn.com. By choosing this path, we give as many individuals as possible a genuine stake and voice in our state’s future, free from state incentives or big-money influences. Together, let’s champion a grassroots movement rooted in the values of our constitutional republic, reflecting the diverse needs of families across Minnesota while empowering local communities through PCR-eligible support for BPOUs.
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
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