REPORT: Marine veteran unleashes as he launches bid to replace Gov Walz

February 1, 2026

From Fox News: Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate Patrick Knight slammed Gov. Tim Walz and other leading Democrats, saying that the state is “cratering” under their leadership as they treat the law like a “buffet.”

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Knight criticized the sanctuary policies in his state, saying, “The law is not a buffet table where you just pick and choose which laws you’re going to enforce today and which laws you’re going to ignore.”

“The rule of law matters,” he said.

A Marine veteran of 20 years and a former manufacturing CEO, Knight is one of nearly a dozen candidates running for the Republican nomination to succeed Walz in the Minnesota governor’s mansion.

Addressing the violent protests against federal immigration operations, Knight said, “Things could have been easier as they are in other states. When the federal government, in a reasonable manner, enforces immigration law and the city and state cooperate, that’s when it works. It’s when egos get involved and political theatrics get involved where it spins out of control.”

In a post on X, Knight wrote, “Minnesota doesn’t lack experienced leaders. What we’re missing right now is a governor whose perspective was shaped outside the political system, and who approaches problems with fresh judgment.”

Minnesota doesn’t lack experienced leaders. What we’re missing right now is a governor whose perspective was shaped outside the political system, and who approaches problems with fresh judgment.

— Patrick Knight (@patrickknightmn) January 29, 2026