Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was booed by attendees while speaking at the Minnesota Farmfest gubernatorial candidate forum alongside Republican candidates Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, and retired health care executive Kendall Qualls.
The approximately hour-long event, moderated by Blois Olson, took place under a large shed as part of the annual agricultural gathering that draws farmers, rural residents, vendors, and political figures. Candidates discussed topics including the farm economy, urban-rural divides, affordability, fraud in state programs, and immigration.
The three Republican candidates expressed support for the Trump administration’s immigration policies during the policy segment. “Protecting our borders is what was desperately needed after the failed Biden Administration,” Demuth said. Lindell focused on increased state cooperation with federal authorities to prevent the surges that were made necessary by last year’s anti-ICE rioting.
Klobuchar then spoke after the Republican candidates. The senator said she had “long believed and supported funding for order at the border and I have worked well with law enforcement in Minnesota for years.”
She also referenced endorsements from law enforcement, at which point the crowd began to boo. Klobuchar continued by criticizing her opponents’ positions, stating: “None of my opponents on this stage condemned what ICE did … two innocent people were killed.” This referred to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both of whom attacked or interfered with federal agents during Operation Metro Surge
That response was met with even more booing from the audience.
The forum was briefly paused after her immigration remarks due to the audience reactions. Organizers then instructed the audience to be respectful and indicated that the event could be cancelled if disruptions continued.
WATCH: Boos and jeers erupt at Farmfest as Amy Klobuchar says she has “long believed in and supported funding for order at the border” and has “worked well with law enforcement.” pic.twitter.com/6HZQvoofYs
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Throughout the broader forum, candidates addressed other issues. Klobuchar emphasized bipartisan approaches, her visits across Minnesota’s counties, and efforts related to the state’s economy and fraud concerns, stating in one exchange that the “people of Minnesota were ripped off” by fraud that “should have been caught sooner” and calling for a “top to bottom” audit.
Republican candidates highlighted critiques of Democratic control of state government and pledges for change. Audience members generally applauded at the conclusion of answers outside the immigration segment.
