Bennett drops out of gubernatorial race

State Rep. Peggy Bennett, a Republican lawmaker from Albert Lea, abruptly dropped out of the governor’s race last week after her pick for lieutenant governor told her at the last minute he wouldn’t be able to move forward.
Bennett, a six-term state representative who was first elected in 2015, announced earlier this year during her campaign rally announcing her gubernatorial run that she would retire from her role in the Minnesota House.
That effectively leaves her out of politics for the next term.
Her district serves the majority of Freeborn County, along with parts of Steele, Waseca and Faribault counties. She has served on several House committees, including Veterans and Military; Education Finance; and Education Policy, where she currently serves as co-chair.
Bennett said in a press release, “It is with great sadness and heartbreak that I announce that I am unable to move forward as a candidate for governor, and my 2026 campaign has ended. This is not by my choice.
“My lieutenant governor pick, who had been a willing partner and waiting in the wings to be announced, notified me by text message on Tuesday — the last day of filing — that he had changed his mind,” Bennett wrote. “That message came to me a little over four hours before the 5 p.m. filing deadline. He told me that he had other potential options in a different state.”
Bennett confirmed to multiple media outlets her pick was State Rep. Elliott Engin, a lawmaker from the east Metro.
Bennett said without a running mate, she had to drop out of the race.
“Without a lieutenant governor candidate to file with me, and with no time to contact anyone else, my campaign was essentially shut down at 5 p.m. on Tuesday,” Bennett said. “I am incredibly disappointed in this legislative colleague. I was under the impression that he was ready to go.”
Bennett said she didn’t know Engin — who in October announced a bid for state auditor — also filed to run for his House Seat.
With the missed state office filing deadline, he went from running for state auditor, to running for his former seat, to having the chance to be lieutenant governor, to not running at all.
“I had no indication that any of this was going to happen. I am dumbfounded to say the least,” Bennett said.
In March, Engin was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after being pulled over for speeding, expired registration and a broken headlight.
He initially denied having anything to drink, but breath tests indicated a.13 blood-alcohol content.
His passenger, Rep. Walter Hudson, was carrying a concealed weapon for which he had a permit.
Both lawmakers were the subject of complaints to the House Ethics Committee; the panel voted unanimously there wasn’t probable cause to support the complaints.
In her press release, Bennett thanked her supporters: “those who donated, volunteered and offered so many kind words of encouragement and support.
“You have all been an inspiration and an incredible blessing to me,” she wrote. “All of you, and the people of this state, are the whole reason I began this campaign for governor in the first place.”