Former State Senator Dr. Scott Jensen Emerges as Potential Leading GOP Candidate for Governor

(KNSI) — Former state Senator Scott Jensen emerged as the Republican party’s choice to run against DFL incumbent Governor Tim Walz in November.

Following a straw poll at Tuesday night’s GOP caucuses, Jensen, a doctor by trade, took a strong lead against challengers Senator Michelle Benson, Senator Paul Gazelka, Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy, Kendall Qualls, who ran against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for the Fifth District in 2020, and Dr. Neil Shah. Jensen garnered 38% of the vote on the governor preference ballot. Gazelka was his next closest challenger with 14%, followed by Shah with 12%, Murphy, who tied with Qualls with 11%. Benson had 7%, with 7% undecided. Former Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek announced his run for governor just hours before the caucuses Tuesday. His name was not on any of the ballots, and there was no party tally for him.

Caucus results are not legally binding and the party preference could change between now and primary day in August.

The 66-year-old Jensen is a self-described “outspoken skeptic” of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, restrictions, and vaccinations but vehemently denies accusations he is anti-vaccine or anti-science. He was the subject of a handful of investigations by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice over anonymous accusations about spreading misinformation and bad advice about COVID-19. Investigations are sealed unless the findings result in disciplinary action, which in this case, did not and were subsequently tossed.

Also, at the caucuses Tuesday, delegates were selected to attend larger party events and ultimately choose and endorse a candidate at the GOP Convention in Rochester later this year.

The DFL did not hold a caucus this time around, only asking party members to email their delegates’ choices.

This year, all statewide offices are up for election, county board, state House and Senate, and all eight of Minnesota’s U.S. House seats.

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