A Good Dilemma: When Both Choices Honor the Lord

By Dan and Valerie Hall, Chaplains to Minnesota Politics — Dan Hall Ministries

Minnesota Republicans find ourselves in a dilemma this summer, but let me be quick to say, it is a good dilemma. It is the kind of problem for which we should thank God.

We have continually prayed for godly men and women to step forward and lead this state. We have asked the Lord to raise up leaders of conviction, character, and courage. And now, as we look at the races before us this August, with the governor’s race chief among them, we see that He has answered.

Our problem is not a shortage of good choices. Our problem is an abundance of them.

A note before I go further: I serve as a chaplain to Minnesota’s political community, and I pray for leaders on both sides of the aisle. But it is Minnesota Republicans who have welcomed this ministry, opened doors, and asked for pastoral counsel. The DFL has largely chosen to keep faith out of its political life, and I respect that choice. So, when I speak here as a chaplain, I am speaking primarily to the community that has received this ministry, and that community is you.

Seven on the Ballot

Seven Republicans are running in the August 11 primary for governor of Minnesota: Kendall Qualls, Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, Loner Blue, Raul Estrada, John Krhin, and Ross Nova.

Each of them made a choice to step forward and put their name on the line for this state. That deserves acknowledgment and prayer regardless of where any of us land on their candidacies.

Among these seven, two in particular have captured my pastoral attention, not because the others don’t matter, but because the contrast between these two presents something worth reflecting on.

Two Frontrunners, One Kingdom

Lisa Demuth and Kendall Qualls: We have two candidates who are both godly people. Both of them love the Lord, love Minnesota, share many of the same strengths of integrity, a heart for families, a commitment to restoring what has been broken in our state, and each bring different gifts to the table.

Lisa brings years of experience inside the legislature itself, having led with steadiness, grace, and a quiet reliance on God through one of the most difficult political environments our Capitol has ever seen. Kendall brings the perspective of a man who has served his country in uniform and led in the business world with a testimony of God’s faithfulness through hardship. These are different roads to the same destination: leadership that is willing to serve rather than be served.

And this is exactly what makes this decision so difficult. When one choice is good and the other is not, the decision is easy. When both choices are good, we are driven to something better than our own judgment. (This is the same for the U.S. Senate race between Adam Schwarze and Michele Tafoya.)

Driven to Our Knees

Friends, these two choices are so good that they ought to make us get on our knees and ask the Lord for whom we should vote. This is not a burden. This is a blessing. Any decision that drives God’s people to prayer is a decision that is already bearing fruit.

And here is what I believe: If you asked either of these candidates what you should do, I am confident both of them would tell you the same thing. Get on your knees. Ask the Lord whether you should vote for them or for the other. Of course, each of them hopes you will vote for them as they would not otherwise be running. But I believe both genuinely want the Lord’s will over their own. This is the mark of a servant leader. This is the kind of heart and vision we have been praying to see in our government. Whatever happens on August 11, Minnesota is already better for having people like this.

What We Are Really Voting For

More than any policy or platform, we want a leader who is willing to humble themselves, pray, seek the Lord’s face, and turn from any wicked way. This is not my standard; this is God’s standard, given to us in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Notice that the promise of healing does not begin with the leader. It begins with “my people.” This is you and me. Before we ask which candidate will humble themselves before God, we must first humble ourselves before God. The healing of Minnesota does not start in the governor’s office; it starts on the knees of God’s people.

A Call to Prayer Before the Primary

Here is my encouragement to you between now and August 11:

• Early voting is already open. Do not wait until Election Day.
• Pray before you decide. Do not vote by yard signs, headlines, by my words or other’s. Ask the Lord. He is not silent on the matters that concern His people.
• Pray for all seven candidates by name. Campaigns are grueling, and the enemy loves nothing more than to divide brothers and sisters in Christ during a primary season. Pray that every one of them finishes this race with their integrity intact and their witness shining.
• Pray for unity after the primary. Whoever wins in August will need every one of us in November. Let us make sure that the way we conduct ourselves this summer does not cost us the unity we will need this fall. Abraham Lincoln reminded us of “a house divided cannot stand,” and it is as true in 2026 as it was at Gettysburg.
• Pray for Minnesota. Our prayers are not just for an election outcome but for revival and for hearts turned back to God in every county, every town, every home.

We are not choosing between good and evil this August. We are choosing between servants and asking our Lord which one He has prepared for this hour. What a privilege this is. What an answer to prayer this is. Get on your knees, Minnesota. The Lord is listening.