Scott Jensen exits governor race, will run for state auditor
Scott Jensen, who during his second bid for governor embraced RFK Jr. and the "MAHA" slogan, has dropped out of the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race and launched a campaign for state auditor. The shift moves him from a top‑of‑ticket contest into an oversight role responsible for auditing state and local finances.
📌 Key Facts
- On Feb. 9, 2026, Scott Jensen officially dropped out of the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race.
- He immediately launched a campaign to run for Minnesota state auditor, shifting to a different statewide office.
- The switch repositions Jensen from a top-of-ticket gubernatorial contest into the state auditor’s oversight role that audits state and local finances.
📊 Relevant Data
Scott Jensen placed fourth in the GOP caucus night straw poll for gubernatorial candidates, which contributed to his decision to withdraw from the 2026 Minnesota governor's race.
Scott Jensen withdraws from Minnesota governor's race, announces run for state auditor — Wadena Pioneer Journal
Recent audits in Minnesota have revealed over $9 billion in potential fraud in state-run Medicaid services, highlighting the importance of the state auditor's oversight role.
U.S. Attorney: Fraud likely exceeds $9 billion in Minnesota-run Medicaid services — Minnesota Reformer
In recent Minnesota fraud scandals, 92 people have been charged, with a majority being Somali immigrants, including reports of 85 Somali defendants.
Everything we know about Minnesota's massive fraud schemes — CBS News
The Somali population in Minnesota is 79,449, representing about 1.4% of the state's total population of approximately 5.7 million.
Somali population - Cultural communities — Minnesota Compass
Young Somali-born males in the US have an incarceration rate of 5,030 per 100,000, compared to 2,450 per 100,000 for native-born Americans and 1,280 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic white natives.
Yes, Somali Immigrants Commit More Crime Than Natives — City Journal
Somali immigrants in Minnesota have a poverty rate of 36.4%, compared to the state average of 9.6%.
Somali population - Cultural communities — Minnesota Compass
Scott Jensen has criticized the Walz administration's handling of fraud scandals in Minnesota, calling the welfare fraud 'worse than Watergate'.
GOP candidate calls Minnesota welfare fraud 'worse than Watergate' — Fox News
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Jensen has officially dropped out of the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race.
- He is now running for Minnesota state auditor instead, shifting to a different statewide office.
- This move repositions Jensen from a top‑of‑ticket contest into an oversight role that audits state and local finances.