{"id":2567933,"date":"2026-02-09T13:39:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minnesota-gop-gubernatorial-primary-narrows-further-after-jensen-drops-bid\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:41:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:41:26","slug":"minnesota-gop-gubernatorial-primary-narrows-further-after-jensen-drops-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minnesota-gop-gubernatorial-primary-narrows-further-after-jensen-drops-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota GOP gubernatorial primary narrows further after Jensen drops bid"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fminnesota-gop-gubernatorial-primary-narrows-further-after-jensen-drops-bid%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2567933&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Scott Jensen, a Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate, announced he will drop his bid for governor and instead run for state auditor to combat fraud and waste, saying it\u2019s time to restore trust and \u201cdeclare war\u201d on abuse.He is the second Republican to withdraw from the race after Chris Madel, who left last month citing disagreements with the national party\u2019s immigration stance; Madel\u2019s exit followed a Border Patrol shooting that killed Alex Pretti.Jensen\u2019s withdrawal comes as Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, pursues the governor\u2019s office, with Republican hopefuls Kristin Robbins and Phillip Parrish rising as front-runners. Jensen argued that Minnesota\u2019s problems won\u2019t be solved by simply changing leaders, framing himself as a watchdog against fraud in a state plagued by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ilhan-omars-republican-opponent-reveals-congresswomans-deep-ties-to-somali-fraud-scandal\/\" title=\"Ilhan Omar&#039;s ... Opponent Reveals Congresswoman&#039;s &#039;Deep Ties&#039; to Somali ... ...\">large fraud scandal<\/a> that allegedly diverted billions from public-benefit programs to shell companies and overseas accounts. The scandal has coincided with Gov. Tim Walz\u2019s push to testify before congress on Minnesota fraud, and Walz has said he will not seek re-election or hold office again.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Minnesota GOP gubernatorial primary narrows further after Jensen drops bid<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2499970\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a> GOP Gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen said Monday he will no longer seek the leading office in the state and will instead run for state auditor to &ldquo;declare war&rdquo; on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota-fraud\/\">fraud<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s time to declare war on waste and fraud and abuse,&rdquo; Jensen said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/drscottjensen\/status\/2020877180536795478?s=20\">in a video posted on X<\/a>. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s time to resurrect a good government.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4450793\/senate-republicans-secret-weapon-midterm-headwinds\/\">Senate Republicans find their secret weapon as they try to navigate midterm &#8216;headwinds&#8217; with Palm Beach getaway<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4450630\/rick-jackson-threatens-burt-jones-lock-maga-base-georgia-governor-race-campaign-launch\/\">Rick Jackson&#8217;s campaign launch threatens Burt Jones&#8217;s lock on MAGA base in Georgia governor race<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4450463\/democrats-upset-trump-districts-louisiana-special-election\/\">Democrats continue upset streak in Trump districts with Louisiana special election blowout<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Jensen is the second Republican candidate to drop out of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/midterm-elections\/\">governor&rsquo;s race<\/a> in Minnesota after GOP attorney Chris Madel ended his campaign last month.<\/p>\n<p>Madel cited conflict with the national party&rsquo;s approach to immigration as reason for his exit. His announcement came after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4432691\/what-to-know-fatal-shooting-border-patrol-minnesota\/\">Alex Pretti<\/a>. Pretti died in a physical confrontation that began when he intervened in an immigration operation he had been recording on his phone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Both Jensen and Madel announced their resignations just weeks after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Amy-Klobuchar\/\">Sen. Amy Klobuchar <\/a>(D-MN) said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4438581\/amy-klobuchar-announces-run-minnesota-governor-federal-operation\/\">she will seek the governor&rsquo;s office<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Madel said at the time that his decision had nothing to do with Klobuchar&rsquo;s run. Jensen did not mention the senator in his announcement.<\/p>\n<p>Klobuchar <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.270towin.com\/2026-governor-polls\/minnesota\">has pushed ahead of GOP candidates<\/a> in the governor&rsquo;s race. Kristin Robbins and Phillip Parrish have emerged as Republican front-runners. Jensen was previously the leading GOP candidate to take on Klobuchar before announcing he would not seek the office.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Jensen <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drscottjensen.com\/\">said his decision<\/a> to end his gubernatorial campaign is due to Minnesota&rsquo;s inability to be fixed by a leadership change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our state&rsquo;s problems can&rsquo;t be fixed by simply replacing a leader,&rdquo; Jensen said. &ldquo;Our biggest problem right now is broken trust in government.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Jensen positioned himself as a &ldquo;watchdog&rdquo; that would end massive fraud in the state that has made it the &ldquo;laughingstock of the nation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The former state senator ran a campaign for governor in 2022, but was beaten by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-walz\/\">Gov. Tim Walz<\/a> (D-MN) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/2022-election\/results\/minnesota\/statewide-offices\/\">by 192,000 votes<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Jensen centering his campaign for state auditor on an anti-fraud platform comes as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4440414\/house-oversight-committee-tim-walz-testify-minnesota-fraud\/\">Walz is set to testify before<\/a> the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next month on the widespread fraud in the state.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Minnesota fraud scandal involves the alleged theft of billions in taxpayer dollars from public benefit programs &mdash; including food aid, Medicaid, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nycs-campaign-finance-board-is-tipping-the-scales-in-favor-of-mamdani-in-a-big-way\/\" title=\"NYC&#039;s ... Finance Board Is Tipping the Scales in Favor of Mamdani in a Big Way\">child care &#038;mdash<\/a>; due to systemic oversight failures and ignored warnings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4450838\/gop-kentucky-house-speaker-snatches-microphone-thomas-massie-mid-speech\/\"><strong>GOP KENTUCKY HOUSE SPEAKER SNATCHES MICROPHONE FROM THOMAS MASSIE MID-SPEECH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Investigators estimate that these fraudulent schemes, such as the Feeding Our Future case, diverted essential resources away from vulnerable residents to shell companies and overseas accounts.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly after the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >fraud scandal made national headlines<\/a>, Walz announced he would no longer seek reelection or <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4439826\/tim-walz-says-he-will-never-run-for-any-office-again\/\">public office ever again<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jensen exits MN governor bid, runs for state auditor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2567934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP22301663092016.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[6203,4764,73388,5698,4909],"class_list":["post-2567933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-gop","tag-gubernatorial","tag-jensen","tag-minnesota","tag-primary"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP22301663092016.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2567933"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2567937,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567933\/revisions\/2567937"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2567934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2567933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2567933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2567933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}