business
Qualls running mate was on Capitol grounds during Jan. 6 attack
By Star Tribune
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
Brian Nicholson, a businessman chosen by Republican-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls to run as his lieutenant governor, said in a statement to the Star Tribune he wanted to show support for “the greatest president of my lifetime” and that he left “when things turned violent.”
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The revelation about Brian Nicholson's presence at the Capitol on January 6 raises questions about the judgment of Kendall Qualls, who selected him as his running mate. As a Republican-endorsed candidate, Qualls is likely to face scrutiny from voters across the Twin Cities area, where many residents value civil discourse and peaceful protest. Nicholson's decision to be on Capitol grounds that day, even if he claims to have left when violence erupted, may be seen as at odds with those values. The Qualls campaign will need to address how Nicholson's actions reflect on their ticket and what it says about their approach to governance. With the Minneapolis -St. Paul area being a hub for political engagement, voters will be watching closely to see how Qualls and Nicholson respond to this development and how it impacts their campaign's momentum in Hennepin County and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by Star Tribune . 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 Star Tribune . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Star Tribune ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering business and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Brian Nicholson, a businessman chosen by Republican-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls to run as his lieutenant governor, said in a statement to the Star Tribune he wanted to show support for “the greatest president of my lifetime” and that he left “when things turned violent.”
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Star Tribune and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Star Tribune. To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More business →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter