Republican Scott Jensen announced his candidacy for governor on Thursday.
Jensen, a family physician and former state senator, unsuccessfully ran against Gov. Tim Walz in 2022 when he took 44% of the vote. He is the second high-profile Republican to announce in a 2026 bid, alongside Republican Kendall Qualls , who also ran in 2022.
“Minnesotans want their state back,” Jensen said in a statement on his candidacy. “We remember the days when our communities were safe, our schools were strong and our leaders put people — not politics — first. That’s the Minnesota we’re going to fight to bring back.”
Walz has yet to decide whether he will seek a third term as governor and is expected to announce a decision around the end of summer, his staff said. Walz has ruled out other offices, such as the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tina Smith.
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