Dr. Scott Jensen Wins Republican Endorsement For MN Governor

ROCHESTER, MN — Minnesota Republicans endorsed Dr. Scott Jensen Saturday night to challenge Tim Walz in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

The doctor and former state senator from Carver County narrowly defeated business executive Kendall Qualls in an intense battle for the endorsement that took nine rounds of voting.

Jensen has already chosen his running mate in Matt Birk, a St. Paul native who played for the Minnesota Vikings before winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

"Friends and fellow Minnesotans, we are humbled and inspired by your support," Jensen said in a statement.

"Thank you for placing your trust in our campaign and joining our winning team! I also want to thank my fellow Republican competitors for their commitment to conservative principles. With your help, we have built a grassroots movement across the state. Together, we will defeat Tim Walz in November and restore freedom to all Minnesotans."

Jensen will still have to win the Aug. 9 Republican primary. However, his Republican rivals are expected to honor the party’s endorsement and will end their campaigns for governor.

Jensen's popularity grew during the pandemic when he criticized vaccine mandates and Walz's use of emergency powers.

Following the endorsement process, Democrats called Jensen's views "extreme and dangerous."

"Minnesota Republicans have chosen the most extreme and dangerous candidate to lead their party in the fall," Minnesota Democratic Party Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement.

"In just the last two weeks, Scott Jensen has promised to ban abortion for rape victims and to throw one of his political opponents in jail. Minnesotans want their leaders to focus on helping working families, but Scott Jensen is only interested in his far-right political agenda."

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.