government
Kendall Qualls’ running mate was present at US Capitol on Jan. 6
By Kyle Brown at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· June 26, 2026
· 2 min read
Brian Nicholson, the running mate for GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls, confirms to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he was present on the U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021.
“I was one of thousands of patriots who went to Washington DC to support President Trump after the 2020 election ...
Key takeaway “I was one of thousands of patriots who went to Washington DC to support President Trump after the 2020 election — I don’t apologize for being there,” Nicholson said in a statement.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The revelation that Brian Nicholson, Kendall Qualls' running mate, was present at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, raises questions about the judgment and values of the GOP-endorsed gubernatorial ticket in Minnesota. As the state's voters consider their choices for leadership, they will likely weigh Nicholson's actions and Qualls' response to this news. The Minnesota DFL Party's condemnation of Nicholson's participation in the rally reflects the strong feelings many Minnesotans have about the insurrection and its aftermath. With the gubernatorial election approaching, it remains to be seen how Qualls will address this issue and whether it will impact his campaign's momentum in the Twin Cities and beyond. The lack of comment from Qualls and the Minnesota Republican Party so far suggests that this issue may continue to simmer as a point of contention in the state's political landscape.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Brian Nicholson, the running mate for GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls, confirms to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he was present on the U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021.
“I was one of thousands of patriots who went to Washington DC to support President Trump after the 2020 election ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kyle Brown at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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