Republican Michelle Benson suspends campaign for governor
May 2, 2022 7:50AM CDT
@ap.news In this May 2, 2019 photo, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, left, stands next Deputy Majority Leader Michelle Benson as he speaks to reporters at the state Capitol in St. Paul. Benson has launched her campaign for Minnesota governor, saying she’ll fight efforts to close schools and businesses or defund the police. She calls herself “an unwavering conservative fighter” in a statement posted on her campaign website. She also posted a YouTube video declaring her candidacy and plans a formal announcement at a machining company in Blaine on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, is stepping down as Senate majority leader. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski, file)
Republican Michelle Benson said she is suspending her campaign for governor.
Benson, a state senator from Ham Lake, said Friday she was dropping out in a speech at the 7th District GOP convention. She said it was “time for Republicans to unite” behind a single candidate to defeat Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in November. Her departure leaves state Sen. Paul Gazelka and former state Sen. Scott Jensen among the leading candidates in a crowded Republican field.
Jensen, a doctor running as a COVID-19 skeptic, led the field in recently announced fundraising.
