Fellow Minnesotans,
I know many of you have grown weary, even cynical, about the possibility of real change in our state’s leadership. For too long, we’ve been fed a steady diet of division—left versus right, Democrat versus Republican—that has left us feeling stuck, especially when it comes to areas like the Twin Cities, Duluth, and other so-called “solid blue” strongholds. You’ve heard the whispers, or maybe even said them yourselves: “Those places aren’t winnable. It’s a lost cause.” But I’m here to tell you, as Phillip C. Parrish, candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, that this is a false narrative, a self-fulfilling prophecy designed to keep us divided and defeated. It’s time to debunk this lie and reclaim our hope, because the landscape is shifting right before our eyes, and victory is within reach if we choose to fight for it.
Let’s start with the truth: This isn’t about partisan labels; it’s about right versus wrong. As I’ve said time and again, “For me, this isn’t about right or left. This is about right and wrong.” Minnesotans from all walks of life—farmers in rural counties, families in the suburbs, workers in the cities—are resonating with this message because they’re tired of the exploitation, the fraud, and the broken promises that have plagued our state under the current leadership. I’ve seen it firsthand on the campaign trail: People who once felt voiceless are stepping forward, sharing stories of how white-collar criminals have siphoned billions from programs meant to help the vulnerable, like the daycare fraud I exposed in 2018 or the $250 million Feeding Our Future scandal that defrauded child nutrition funds. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re symptoms of a system rigged against everyday folks, and Minnesotans are waking up to it.
The idea that the Twin Cities or Duluth are unwinnable? That’s outdated thinking, rooted in old maps and echo chambers. The mood is changing—I’ve witnessed diverse crowds at events like Minnesota Farmfest gravitating toward our vision of servant leadership, where elected officials do the people’s work, protect the innocent, and end the money laundering schemes that drain our resources. We’re building common ground, not walls: “We will find common ground. It’s not about left or right. It’s about wrong and right. We will expose the lies. We will expose the white collar criminals. We will protect our children.” From Somali-American communities exploited by fraudulent networks to hardworking farmers burdened by rising costs and unchecked immigration schemes, people are uniting around solutions like independent audits, stronger whistleblower protections, and reforms to refugee resettlement that prioritize self-sufficiency and verifiable needs. This broad support isn’t hypothetical; it’s happening now, as evidenced by the growing momentum in my campaign and the increasing calls for accountability across the state.
But here’s the key: Cynicism is the enemy of progress. If we plan to fail—if we buy into the defeatist mindset that certain areas are lost—we’ll manifest that failure through inaction and division. History shows us that great turnarounds happen when people choose hope over despair, faith over fear. Think of Abraham Lincoln, who failed repeatedly in business and elections before leading the nation through its darkest hour. Or closer to home, consider how Minnesota once led in education and opportunity, only to falter under fraud and mismanagement—yet we can reclaim that legacy if we believe it’s possible. As I’ve outlined in my platform, we’ll inspire a culture of servant leadership, stop looking to a “fairytale government” to fix personal and social issues, and instead empower interpersonal relationships and community-driven solutions. Plan to win: Have faith in our shared values, hope in our collective strength, and the will to act. When we do, victory isn’t just likely—it’s inevitable.
Minnesotans, the shift is real. Join this movement at parrish4mn.com, volunteer, contribute, and spread the word. Together, we’ll prove the cynics wrong and build a Minnesota where right triumphs over wrong, for everyone. Let’s aspire to greatness and inspire others to do the same. The time is now—have hope, plan to win, and watch us succeed.
Very respectfully,
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
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