Dr. Scott Jensen Wins GOP Endorsement For Governor At Republican Convention

Dr. Scott Jensen addresses the crowd at a Q&A at Thumper Pond in Ottertail on May 1, 2022 (Photo: Zeke Fuhrman)

ROCHESTER, MN (KDLM) – Dr. Scott Jensen and running mate Matt Birk won the Minnesota GOP’s endorsement to challenge Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in the November election.

“Friends and fellow Minnesotans, we are humbled and inspired by your support,” Jensen said on Saturday. “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.”

Dr. Jensen, a vaccine skeptic and former state senator, earned 65.12% of the votes on the ninth ballot Saturday at the Rochester Convention Center after Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy backed him after being eliminated on the sixth ballot. Business executive Kendall Qualls received 32.66% of the vote in the ninth ballot.

We are going to win.
We are going to heal Minnesota.
And we are never going to look back.

Thank you, Republican Delegates. It’s time to defend this endorsement and defeat Tim Walz!#Endorsed pic.twitter.com/82XSnRYG8c

— Scott Jensen (@drscottjensen) May 15, 2022

All candidates had pledged to honor the party’s endorsement and forego the right to run in the Aug. 9 GOP primary, assuming there was no deadlock.

“On behalf of the Republican Party of Minnesota, I am proud to congratulate Dr. Scott Jensen on winning our State Convention’s endorsement for governor.” GOP Minnesota Chair David Hann said. “With his strong record of pro-growth, conservative leadership, we will partner with Dr. Jensen’s well-organized campaign to make our case to the voters for bold leadership on the tough issues facing our state – like crime, a struggling economy, and more. We are excited to work hard to support Dr. Scott Jensen to defat Tim Walz and the Democrats in November.”

The 2,200 delegates had to complete their work by a 6 p.m. Saturday deadline for vacating the Rochester Mayo Civic Center, but the relatively fast and smooth electronic voting process Friday appeared to reduce the chances of running out of time and leaving without an endorsement. Delegates and party leaders are hoping at least one of their candidates becomes the first Republican elected to statewide office since Gov. Tim Pawlenty was reelected in 2006.

The GOP also endorsed three other candidates for November positions: Jim Schultz for Attorney General, Ryan Wilson for State Auditor and Kim Crockett for Secretary of State.