Minnesota Republicans battle for key endorsements in statewide races
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Mike Lindell, Kendall Qualls and Lisa Demuth are vying for the GOP nod for governor. Photos: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images; Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images
More than 2,000 Minnesota Republicans will gather in Duluth this weekend to dole out pivotal endorsements for governor, U.S. Senate and other key races.
Why it matters: In Minnesota Republican politics, winning the party endorsement for a statewide contest has historically meant winning the primary.
- Candidates who lose often "abide by the endorsement" by dropping out and backing the victor before the August primary.
The big picture: The direction delegates go in could shape the party's chances as Republicans seek to win a statewide office for the first time in 20 years.
State of play: Several GOP primary races remained crowded — and hotly contested — heading into the weekend.
- The magic number: Candidates need to secure 60% of delegates to secure the endorsement.
🗳️ Governor: House Speaker Lisa Demuth, repeat candidate Kendall Qualls and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell are top contenders, with Demuth and Qualls considered frontrunners.
- With about a half dozen candidates in the mix, it will likely take multiple ballots to declare a winner.
What we're watching: Which side supporters of lower-performing candidates flock to as their first picks get knocked out of contention.
Worth noting: Demuth and Qualls have said they'll abide by the endorsement.
🏛️ U.S. Senate: Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, former NFL broadcaster Michele Tafoya and 2024 candidate Royce White lead the pack for the open U.S. Senate seat.
What to expect: Schwarze is seen as the frontrunner for the endorsement, as the Star Tribune reports, despite lagging in fundraising and entering the race with little name ID.
Yes, but: Tafoya, who has the backing of GOP U.S. Senate leadership, has said she'll go on to the primary either way. She'll have the cash to make it a competitive race.
🔎 Auditor: The race for the under-the-radar constitutional office was the closest statewide race in 2022, and Republicans see another opportunity to flip the seat this year.
- Former gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen, Rep. Elliott Engen, and Nate George are among the top names seeking the endorsement.
The other side: The DFL convention in Rochester this weekend is expected to see far fewer fireworks following Angie Craig's last-minute decision to skip the gathering, effectively ceding the DFL's nod for U.S. Senate to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
- Amy Klobuchar also doesn't have a serious challenge for governor, though some progressive Democrats are cool on her.
Yes, but: Democrats, too, have a contested auditor's race, with multiple candidates vying for the endorsement to succeed two-term Auditor Julia Blaha.
Plus: It's unknown whether Klobuchar will announce her lieutenant governor pick Friday night or wait until closer to when she formally files for the office.
The intrigue: Klobuchar hasn't taken a side between Craig and Flanagan yet, and her campaign won't say whether she'll support the DFL-endorsed candidate.