2 more GOP candidates bow out of Minnesota gubernatorial race
Two Republican candidates in the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial race have dropped out: one for a heartbreaking reason, while the other is entering a different race.
Scott Jensen
Scott Jensen says he is pivoting his aspirations for statewide office, dropping out of the Minnesota governor's race and instead launching his campaign for state auditor.
Jensen was the Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2022, but lost to Gov. Tim Walz by more than 192,000 votes.
Seeking a rematch, Jensen announced another run for governor last summer, becoming one of a dozen Republican hopefuls.
In a GOP caucus straw poll last week, Jensen got only 6% of the gubernatorial vote, putting him in a distant fourth.
"I think that, frankly, facing off against Tim Walz would have been a much different scenario than facing off against Amy Klobuchar," Jensen told WCCO Monday.
At this point, Jensen said he will not be endorsing any of his former rivals in the governor's race.
"I am confident that one of my colleagues will be well-positioned to win in November," Jensen said in his announcement on Monday. "I'm doing this because other talented servants can and will work with the legislature, sign bills, and enforce our laws."
Jensen said that the state needs a "watchdog" amid a statewide fraud scandal. Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha — who announced last year that she won't be seeking a third term in office — has said that she did all to stop the Feeding Our Future scheme, and it is the duty of the legislative auditor to lead fraud investigations.
Rep. Elliott Engen, GOP-Lino Lakes, and Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, are also running for auditor.
Jeff Johnson
The Republican Party of Minnesota announced in a statement posted to Facebook Monday morning that gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson has suspended his campaign after his daughter was "killed in a violent crime."
"Out of respect for his family and the enormity of this loss, Jeff has suspended his campaign for Governor of Minnesota," party officials wrote. "We ask all Minnesotans to join us in lifting up the Johnson family during this incredibly painful time. We also extend our gratitude to the first responders and law enforcement officers involved and ask for patience and compassion as the investigation continues."
Johnson's son-in-law, Dylan Tobler, was charged Tuesday morning in Stearns County with second-degree murder.
According to Johnson's campaign website, he works as a semi-truck driver in central Minnesota and previously served two terms on the St. Cloud City Council, from 2010 to 2018. He also ran for Stearns County Commissioner in 2020. He describes himself as a "'Minnesota axe grinder' when it comes to fraud, corruption, coverup, screwing around, 'happy talk' and seeing politicians' indifference directed towards citizens."
Johnson's website also notes he's not to be confused with former Republican Minnesota lawmaker, Hennepin County commissioner and two-time gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson.
The candidates still in the race
The GOP race still has nine candidates left. In last week's straw poll, House Speaker Lisa Demuth finished first with about 32% of the vote.
Businessman Kendall Qualls was second with 25%, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell had 17%. Qualls campaign says he is not dropping out, and there is no indication Lindell will either.
That raises the possibility that the GOP internal battle will continue through the endorsing convention. If no candidate gets 60% of the delegates, there will be no endorsement — meaning candidates will continue battling through the Aug. 11 primary.
"What the Republican Party needs to do is unify behind one candidate," said political analyst Larry Jacobs. "If they spend the next four or five months ripping each other apart, whoever emerges as the nominee will be damaged."
On the DFL side in the race for governor, there is no intra-party fighting, and no serious challenger has emerged to take on Klobuchar, who easily won last week's DFL caucus straw poll.
