Chris Madel, a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, has ended his campaign after criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) operations in the state.

In a video statement, Madel said he cannot support “the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state” or identify as part of a party that would do so. He defended ICE’s original goals for Operation Metro Surge—targeting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes including murder, rape, and child sexual assault—but asserted the operation has “extended far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats.”

Madel highlighted U.S. citizens living in fear due to ICE activities, noting instances where citizens carried papers proving citizenship and Hispanic and Asian law enforcement officers were pulled over by ICE on pretextual stops. He also accused national Republicans of making it nearly impossible for a Republican to win statewide elections in Minnesota.

His decision comes following the killing of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent and the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, which prompted protests and calls for an investigation. Madel agreed to provide pro bono legal advice to Ross after the Good incident.

A 30-year attorney with experience defending law enforcement officers—including in the 2024 case where a Minnesota state trooper fatally shot a Black man during a traffic stop—Madel entered the governor’s race in December. Prosecutors dropped charges against the trooper, stating the case would have been difficult to prove.

The candidate announced his withdrawal two days after the Pretti killing and shortly after Governor Walz dropped out of the race, citing federal officers deployed to Minnesota under the Trump administration as a factor in shifting political dynamics.