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Politics and Government News
MPR News Staff
St. Paul

Benson ends GOP race for governor

Election 2020-Minnesota-Governor
Republican Sen. Michelle Benson, alongside her family including her husband Craig and daughter Claire, 10, made the announcement to launch her campaign for governor, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Blaine, Minn.
Elizabeth Flores/AP

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The field of candidates seeking the Republican endorsement for governor got a little less crowded Friday when state Sen. Michelle Benson of Ham Lake suspended her campaign.

Benson said in a statement it’s time for Republicans to unite behind a single candidate who can defeat Tim Walz this fall and that she looks forward to working with delegates on selecting the right person.

In a video posted to Twitter, Benson said it became clear from speaking with delegates that this was not the right time.   

“Heartfelt conversations and soul searching have led us to the decision to step back from this campaign,” Benson said. “For the good of the process and in fairness to my volunteers and supporters I will not be continuing my campaign to be the Republican candidate for governor.”

Benson said she will not enter her name into the endorsement balloting at the Republican state convention in Rochester on May 14th, and that she will not run for reelection to the senate seat she has held since 2011.

Benson gave up her position as chair of the health and human services finance committee during her campaign. 

She was the only woman in the race for governor, but since announcing her run in September she had lagged in fundraising. She also finished last in a straw poll conducted at Republican caucuses in February. 

The remaining GOP candidates in the race include Sen. Paul Gazelka, former Sen. Scott Jensen, former business executive Kendall Qualls, former Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, Mike Murphy and Neil Shah.