Minnesota GOP endorsements set up contested Senate and governor primaries
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Candidates pitching themselves as political outsiders prevailed over better-funded rivals backed by the establishment at the Minnesota Republican Party's weekend endorsing convention.
The big picture: The outcome sets the stage for contested GOP primaries for both U.S. Senate and governor this August.
What happened: Kendall Qualls, a former executive and Army veteran running for the second time, overcame his top rival, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, after 10 ballots Saturday.
- In the U.S. Senate race, former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze won over Michele Tafoya, the longtime sports broadcaster who has the backing of Senate GOP leadership in Washington.
Yes, but: Tafoya and Royce White will remain in the running for U.S. Senate, while MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell will continue on for governor.
The intrigue: Demuth said in the lead-up to the convention that she'd drop out without the endorsement.
- But she hasn't said what she'll do in the wake of Saturday's endorsement vote, which saw "anomalies" in some rounds of balloting due to apparent tech glitches, Star Tribune reports.
Between the lines: Fundraising performance so far suggests that Demuth and Tafoya would likely have big cash advantages in their respective races.
- A pro-Demuth Super PAC is also already throwing cash behind her bid.
Reality check: More money doesn't always translate to more votes, especially in statewide GOP primaries. (See: Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2018).
What they're saying: Qualls and Schwarze both emphasized commitments to conservative values and careers outside politics as they argued they were the GOP's best bets for breaking a long statewide losing streak.
- "After 20 years, I think at a certain time you got to say, 'Okay, maybe we can't get it done,'" Qualls said, per MPR News. "Let's get something different."
What we're watching: Whether President Trump takes a side in either race before August, given his king-making influence in GOP primaries.
The other side: As expected, Democrats endorsed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for the open U.S. Senate seat and Amy Klobuchar for governor, though Klobuchar did face a challenge from the left on the DFL convention floor.
- U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who dropped from the convention late last week, will still challenge Flanagan in the Senate primary.
What's next: Candidates have until Tuesday to file for the Aug. 11 primaries.
- The winners of those contests go onto the November general.