MINNESOTA
     Governor—Republican State Convention May 13-14, 2022
    Republican Primary Aug. 9, 2022



Outsider Conservative Candidate Kendall Qualls Offers a Statement Post
GOP Convention

MINNEAPOLIS - Four and a half months ago, veteran and former business executive Kendall Qualls announced he would enter the crowded field vying to take on Tim Walz. After entering the convention leading in four straw polls throughout the state, his personal integrity was slandered in order to deny his candidacy from advancing forward. Today, Kendall held the lead after two ballot rounds only to be undermined by backroom politics and a boldfaced lie used to sway delegates.

Statement from Kendall Qualls:

"I want to thank the delegates and alternates to the Republican convention for their time and hard work. I entered the race as an outsider and the only veteran to bring integrity, business experience and bold leadership solutions to Minnesota. Unfortunately, our efforts did not prevail. I want to thank everyone who worked tirelessly on my campaign and others.

I loved every moment of my run for governor and meeting all of the great people around Minnesota. They deserve better than Tim Walz and DFL leadership. Sheila and I thank you as we transition back to private life."

DFL Statement on Scott Jensen’s Victory at the GOP Convention

Today, Saturday, May 14, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement after the Republican Party of Minnesota endorsed far-right candidate for governor Scott Jensen:

“Minnesota Republicans have chosen the most extreme and dangerous candidate to lead their party in the fall,” said Martin. “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. This fall, voters will have a clear choice between Scott Jensen’s extremism and Governor Walz’s responsible leadership.”

Last week, Scott Jensen explicitly declared that if he has his way, abortion will be illegal in Minnesota under almost all circumstances – even for victims of rape and incest. That statement is consistent with his commitment to push for an “outright ban” on abortion.

Jensen also recently suggested jail time for Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, citing baseless Big Lie conspiracy theories. The remarks are part of a pattern of authoritarian impulses, including bragging about getting help from Vladimir Putin and praising Ron DeSantis as a “hero” for retaliating against Disney when they objected to Florida’s “don’t say gay” law.

As a legislator, Jensen authored a bill that would have eliminated cost-of-living increases to Minnesota’s minimum wage. He also put forward a bill to cut the corporate tax rate by 10 percent and was one of just four senators who voted against aid for restaurants and small businesses during the pandemic.

An anti-vaxxer with international infamy, Jensen’s lies about the COVID-19 vaccine and pandemic are well-documented.