President Donald Trump's rhetoric and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell's campaign for governor in Minnesota are testing Republicans' optimism in the state.
"We should be able to beat Tim Walz with a dog," House GOP Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) told Politico recently.
But many Republicans in the state fear that Trump will sabotage the party's chances.
"When the president comes in with a flamethrower and just throws that type of rhetoric, there's no oxygen, and there's no space for the Republican to offer suggestions and to be thoughtful in that space, because the rhetoric of the president just paints them into a corner," former Minnesota GOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb explained.
And Lindell's push to win the governor's nomination has only added to the consternation.
"We'd be cooked," Republican strategist Dustin Grage admitted. "I'd be moving to Florida very shortly. We would lose pretty badly if Mike Lindell were to get the nomination."
Former Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R) warned that Trump's participation in the race could backfire.
"If [Lindell] is the candidate, that's what the election will be about," Daudt added. "It'll definitely be easier for Walz to make the election about Trump if Mike Lindell is the candidate. No question."
