Former Sen. Scott Jensen. Photo courtesy of Minnesota Legislature
Former state Sen. Scott Jensen has won the Republican Party's latest gubernatorial straw poll, garnering support of 38% of activists who participated in Tuesday's precinct caucuses.
- Results posted online showed Sen. Paul Gazelka finishing second with 14%. Dermatologist Neil Shah held a narrow lead for third, with 92% of precincts reporting.
Why it matters: The results provide a snapshot of where core GOP activists stand with less than four months to go until a May endorsing convention.
- Most, if not all, candidates will drop out without the endorsement, leaving the victor to cruise to the nomination.
Yes, but: The straw poll winner hasn't always gone on to win delegates' backing.
The big picture: The GOP field of candidates vying to challenge DFL Gov. Tim Walz in November remains large — a half dozen candidates participated last night —and unsettled.
- The latest entrant in the race, former Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, announced his campaign hours before caucuses began.
Plus: Candidates also need enough cash to make it through the convention.
- Year-end fundraising reports released Tuesday show Jensen and Gazelka leading the pack on money in the bank, though both trail Walz.
Go deeper on campaign finance filings via MinnPost.
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