Name: Scott Jensen, former GOP lawmaker and COVID-19 skeptic, announcing run for governor - Minnesota Reformer
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Scott Jensen, former GOP lawmaker and COVID-19 skeptic, announcing run for governor - Minnesota Reformer

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Jensen’s announcement makes him the first major candidate to run against first-term Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Tim Walz. The press release doesn’t say Jensen would pursue the Republican Party endorsement or nomination, and doesn’t mention that he’s been a Republican.Jensen was known for his independent streak at the Capitol, including joining DFL colleagues in — a history that could cost him delegates in any Republican endorsement battle.Other potential Walz challengers include Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, who has said he is considering entering the race but would not decide until after the legislative session ends. Minnesota pillow mogul Mike Lindell has also talked about running, but he currently faces a after making baseless claims of 2020 vote fraud against election machine company Dominion. State Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, is also considered a potential contender.His status as a physician could give him credibility to attack Walz on the governor’s COVID-19 response, except by the fall of 2022 the pandemic is likely to have evaporated. And, Jensen’s comments about the pandemic will likely face intense scrutiny.In a statement, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin criticized Jensen’s entrance in the race.“Scott Jensen is a dangerous COVID-19 conspiracy theorist who has been caught spreading lies about the pandemic, palling around with anti-vaccine extremists, and downplaying the virus that has taken over half a million American lives,” Martin said in part. “We deserve honest leaders that will help us get through this pandemic, not quacks like Scott Jensen. The last thing Minnesotans need is someone like failed one-term state senator Jensen anywhere near the governor’s mansion, especially during times of crisis.”Every weekday morning, J. Patrick Coolican delivers hot political news out of the Minnesota Capitol and Washington, along with fresh insights on what’s really happening and why it matters to Minnesotans.XRepublishing Guidelines ▪ You must give Minnesota Reformer credit, including https://www.minnesotareformer.com/ and author.▪ If you publish online, include the links from the story, and a link to Minnesota Reformer.▪ Stories may be edited for in-house style or to shorten. More substantial changes should be noted as additional and conducted by your publication.▪ You can publish our graphics and any photos that are credit to Minnesota Reformer with the stories with which they originally appeared. For any other uses, you must seek permission from us at ▪ If you share the story on social media, please mention mnreformer on Twitter and minnesotareformer on Facebook.▪ Don't sell the story.▪ Don’t sell ads against the story. Feel free, however, to publish it on a page with ads you’ve already sold.by Ricardo Lopez, March 9, 2021 Scott Jensen, former GOP lawmaker and COVID-19 skeptic, announcing run for governor  by Ricardo Lopez, Minnesota Reformer  March 9, 2021 Jensen’s announcement makes him the first major candidate to run against first-term Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Tim Walz. The press release doesn’t say Jensen would pursue the Republican Party endorsement or nomination, and doesn’t mention that he’s been a Republican.Jensen was known for his independent streak at the Capitol, including joining DFL colleagues in — a history that could cost him delegates in any Republican endorsement battle.Other potential Walz challengers include Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, who has said he is considering entering the race but would not decide until after the legislative session ends. Minnesota pillow mogul Mike Lindell has also talked about running, but he currently faces a after making baseless claims of 2020 vote fraud against election machine company Dominion. State Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, is also considered a potential contender.His status as a physician could give him credibility to attack Walz on the governor’s COVID-19 response, except by the fall of 2022 the pandemic is likely to have evaporated. And, Jensen’s comments about the pandemic will likely face intense scrutiny.In a statement, DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin criticized Jensen’s entrance in the race.“Scott Jensen is a dangerous COVID-19 conspiracy theorist who has been caught spreading lies about the pandemic, palling around with anti-vaccine extremists, and downplaying the virus that has taken over half a million American lives,” Martin said in part. “We deserve honest leaders that will help us get through this pandemic, not quacks like Scott Jensen. The last thing Minnesotans need is someone like failed one-term state senator Jensen anywhere near the governor’s mansion, especially during times of crisis.”is part of States Newsroom, a network of news outlets supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Patrick Coolican for questions: info@minnesotareformer.com. Follow Minnesota Reformer on and . Copy to clipboard1Republish this storyOur stories may be republished online or in print under . We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site.The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell. We’re in the halls of government tracking what elected officials are up to — and monitoring the powerful forces trying to influence them. But we’re also on the streets, at the bars and parks, on farms and in warehouses, telling you stories of the people being affected by the actions of government and big business. And we’re free. No ads. No paywall. Contact us:© Minnesota Reformer 2021

Jensen’s announcement makes him the first major candidate to run against first-term Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Tim Walz. The press release doesn’t say Jensen would pursue the Republican Party endorsement or nomination, and doesn’t mention that he’s been a Republican.Jensen was known for his independent streak at the Capitol, including joining DFL colleagues in — a history that could cost him delegates in any Republican endorsement battle.Other potential Walz challengers include Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, who has said he is considering entering the race but...

Scott Jensen, former GOP lawmaker and COVID-19 skeptic, announcing run for governor - Minnesota Reformer

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