Statement from Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
Fellow Minnesotans,
As we approach the 2026 gubernatorial election, the integrity of our electoral process has never been more critical. Recent revelations and ongoing investigations into election interference, both domestically and internationally, demand transparency, accountability, and decisive action from our current leadership. It is with grave concern that I address the growing list of compromised Minnesota companies, legislators, and bureaucrats with connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and I pose specific questions to Secretary of State Steve Simon and Governor Tim Walz to clarify their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding our democracy.
Election Integrity and the “If-Then-Therefore” Framework
Let us consider the following logical sequence:
• If foreign entities, such as the CCP, have infiltrated our election infrastructure through companies like Konnech, which stored sensitive election data on Chinese servers, then our election systems are vulnerable to manipulation.
• If local actors, such as Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs, have attempted voter registration fraud in Minnesota, then our state’s safeguards must be rigorously tested and proven effective.
• If Minnesota companies and institutions, like the Hormel Institute, have deep ties to CCP-affiliated entities, then there is a potential for undue influence over our political and electoral processes.
• Therefore, it is imperative that we demand answers from those entrusted with protecting our elections—Secretary Simon and Governor Walz—to ensure that Minnesota’s electoral integrity remains uncompromised.
Questions for Secretary of State Steve Simon
Secretary Simon, your office has been at the forefront of responding to election security threats, yet questions remain about the effectiveness and transparency of these efforts. I pose the following questions to you:
1. If the arrest of Eugene Yu and the subsequent investigation into Konnech’s practices exposed vulnerabilities in election software used across the U.S., then what steps did your office take to audit and secure any similar technologies employed in Minnesota? Therefore, can you provide a detailed report on the findings and actions taken?
2. If the voter registration fraud scheme involving Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs was detected and thwarted, then how can we be certain that this was not part of a larger, undetected network of interference? Therefore, what independent audits or investigations have been conducted to rule out such possibilities?
3. If the “Zuckerberg Bucks” funding from the Center for Tech and Civic Life was distributed in Minnesota, then how was this funding monitored to ensure it did not inadvertently support compromised entities or processes? Therefore, please disclose all recipients of this funding in Minnesota and the specific measures taken to safeguard against misuse.
4. If the Overseas Chinese Service Center (OCSC) in St. Paul is a known CCP influence operation, then what oversight has your office exercised over its activities, particularly in relation to voter engagement and election integrity? Therefore, what actions have been taken to mitigate any potential influence on Minnesota’s electoral process?
Questions for Governor Tim Walz
Governor Walz, your administration’s ties to CCP-affiliated entities and your role in securing federal funding for institutions with CCP connections raise serious concerns about the potential for foreign influence in Minnesota. I pose the following questions to you:
1. If your office has engaged with CCP officials, such as Consul General Zhao Jian, to discuss China-U.S. relations, then how have these engagements been insulated from influencing state policy or election integrity? Therefore, please provide a full accounting of all meetings, communications, and agreements made with CCP representatives during your tenure.
2. If the Hormel Institute, under your advocacy, has collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and Beijing Genomics Institute, both with ties to the CCP, then what measures have been taken to ensure these collaborations do not extend to electoral or political influence? Therefore, can you guarantee that no personnel or resources from these collaborations have been involved in any capacity with Minnesota’s election infrastructure?
3. If allegations of CCP interference in the 2020 election include the printing of fraudulent ballots in China, then what steps has your administration taken to investigate whether Minnesota was a target or conduit for such activities? Therefore, please detail any communications with federal agencies, such as the FBI, regarding these allegations and the outcomes of those interactions.
4. If the presence of CCP influence operations, like the OCSC, poses a threat to Minnesota’s democratic processes, then why has your administration not taken more aggressive action to dismantle or regulate these entities? Therefore, what is your plan to address and neutralize CCP influence in Minnesota moving forward?
The Growing List of Compromised Entities
The list of compromised Minnesota companies, legislators, and bureaucrats with connections to the CCP is alarming and demands immediate attention. From the Hormel Institute’s research collaborations to the political engagements facilitated by the OCSC, the potential for undue influence is clear. This is not merely a theoretical concern; it is a tangible threat to our sovereignty and the sanctity of our elections.
Call to Action
Minnesotans deserve answers. We deserve a governor and a secretary of state who prioritize transparency, accountability, and the protection of our democratic institutions above all else. The “if-then-therefore” logic is not just a philosophical exercise; it is a call to action. If our election systems are vulnerable, then we must secure them. If our leaders have been compromised, then we must hold them accountable. Therefore, I urge Secretary Simon and Governor Walz to respond forthrightly to these questions and to commit to a thorough, independent investigation into the extent of CCP influence in Minnesota.
As your candidate for Governor in 2026, I pledge to rebuild Minnesota on strong foundations, returning to sound intellectual and moral principles. I will streamline state governance, cut through wasteful bureaucracies, and ensure that our elections are free from foreign interference. Together, we can restore trust in our democratic process and secure a future where Minnesota thrives under the banner of integrity and freedom.
Thank you.
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
Committed to Servant Leadership, Community Engagement, and Ending Fraud
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