By Phillip C. Parrish
Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, Educator, Farmer, and Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
November 5, 2025
Fellow Minnesotans,
As the ballots from yesterday’s municipal and school elections are tallied across our great state, one truth emerges clearer than ever: the winds of change are blowing, and the so-called “DFL machine” is sputtering. While the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party clings to a razor-thin 33-32 majority in the Minnesota State Senate after splitting the two special elections, the deeper story is one of voter exhaustion with the status quo. From the stunning upset in St. Paul to the overwhelming approval of school funding levies amid cries for fiscal sanity, these results aren’t just local headlines—they’re seismic signals that the true majority of hardworking Minnesotans is awakening to the need for principled leadership. And that’s where our campaign comes in: a viable, groundswell movement rooted in accountability, prosperity, and family-first values, already gaining traction with nearly 13,000 dedicated followers on X (@phillipcparrish) who are ready to turn frustration into action.
Let’s break it down. In St. Paul, State Rep. Kaohly Her’s narrow victory over two-term Mayor Melvin Carter wasn’t just a changing of the guard—it was a repudiation of the DFL’s top-down, tax-and-spend playbook. Voters there, fed up with skyrocketing property taxes and downtown economic stagnation, delivered a 51.5% mandate for fresh ideas after ranked-choice voting rounds. This intra-DFL fracture mirrors the broader discontent rippling through the Twin Cities and beyond: even in progressive strongholds, families are prioritizing affordability over ideology. Across the river in Minneapolis, while incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey held on for a third term with about 52% in a crowded field, his win came despite a progressive City Council majority that often clashes with his centrist bent. The fact that three new councilors were elected, including upsets in key wards, shows independents and moderates flexing their muscle against entrenched power.
Outstate, the story is even starker for the DFL machine. Republicans secured the open SD 29 seat in Wright County with Michael Holmstrom Jr. taking 55% in a low-turnout rural district, filling the vacancy left by the late Sen. Bruce Anderson. Meanwhile, the DFL’s hold on SD 47 in Sherburne County—won decisively by Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger at 61%—came at a cost: it vacated her House seat, teeing up yet another special election where accountability will be on the ballot. These splits preserve the DFL’s one-seat Senate edge for now, but at what price? Turnout hovered at a dismal 25-30% in urban areas, signaling apathy toward a legislature mired in scandal and waste. Remember, this follows the 2024 cycle where Republican margins narrowed statewide, and now, with Gov. Tim Walz’s agenda stalled by internal fractures, the true majority—those hardworking poor and middle-class families from Blue Earth to the Iron Range—is turning away from the machine that’s funneled billions into grifters while our roads crumble and farms struggle.
And the school referendums? Over 70 districts approved levies totaling tens of millions for education, with a 61% success rate statewide. This isn’t blind loyalty to the DFL—it’s a cry for investment in our kids amid inflation and underfunding. But here’s the rub: voters are demanding results, not excuses. In districts like St. Paul and Minneapolis, where operational and facility upgrades passed handily, the subtext is clear: fix the fraud, cut the bloat, and deliver for families. That’s exactly what my campaign is built to do.
This is why our movement is not just viable—it’s surging. With nearly 13,000 followers on X (@phillipcparrish), we’re outpacing early benchmarks for a 2026 challenger, fueled by authentic conversations on fraud recovery, tax relief, and economic empowerment. My background—22 years in Navy intelligence exposing waste, teaching in our classrooms, and farming through tough seasons—positions me as the executive outsider Minnesota needs. No more partisan games; it’s right versus wrong. As I outlined in my recent call to action, “RISE, MINNESOTA—RISE AGAIN!”, it’s time for every Minnesotan—from farmers and factory workers to Hmong grandmothers in St. Paul and Iron Rangers—to be brave and take back our state.
We’ve also committed to bold reforms in “Phillip C. Parrish: Fighting for YOU!”, pledging immediate action as your Governor to restore prosperity, freedom, and safety: cutting taxes, empowering parents with school choice and fairness in sports, and strengthening communities through ethical growth. By capping NGO overhead, auditing agencies to recover $1.5-2.5 billion in waste, and redirecting funds to tax relief—like eliminating the social security tax—and rural healthcare, we’ll put families first. Full details on the 100-Day Plan
Yesterday’s results substantiate our path forward: the DFL’s grip is slipping as voters demand leaders who serve, not rule. Dynamics are shifting—from exurban gains to urban upsets—because the true majority sees through the machine. They’re joining us: volunteers signing up, donations flowing, and conversations turning to “What if?”
Minnesotans, 2026 isn’t a pipe dream—it’s our deadline to reclaim what’s ours. Visit parrish4mn.com to read the full platform, volunteer your time, talent, or treasure, and follow @phillipcparrish on X for real-time updates. Together, we’ll build a stronger, fairer Minnesota.
In service,
Phillip C. Parrish
Parrish for Governor 2026
Disclaimer: Election results are preliminary as of 10:00 a.m. CST, November 5, 2025. Final certification expected by November 18, 2025, per Minnesota Secretary of State guidelines.
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Philip C. Parrish is a Republican candidate for Governor of Minnesota, retired Navy intelligence officer, father, farmer, teacher, administrator, and lifelong Minnesotan running to restore integrity and prosperity.