After losing by over 7.5% in 2022, Scott Jensen is again running for Governor where he continues to cave to the radical left on key issues for conservatives. Minnesotans have already witnessed plenty of flip-flopping from Jensen on abortion/Planned Parenthood funding (where he previously interned) and gun control but he has now given up on a health freedom battle despite centering his campaign on certain MAHA messaging points! 

Jensen is under the illusion that giving up critical battles makes the GOP more electable but in reality, slighting the conservative base makes the base less likely to turn out and vote. If conservatives do not have their interests represented at the ballot box, they will not turn out to vote! 

Jensen was quoted in a recent Star Tribune article where he said he would not try to make ANY changes to the state’s K-12 required immunizations list for students. See the current K-12 immunization requirements from the MN Dept. of Health below:

While the intended message of the Star Tribune article is that Jensen is embracing RFK Jr. and the MAHA movement, Jensen is off to a rough start by abdicating responsibility on vaccine mandates for children. While Jensen argues for exemptions, the vax mandate policy shouldn't exist at all! We must consider not just what the policy is but what it may become (like adding covid shot mandates). Of course, the vaccines listed above are generally seen as uncontroversial by most but these personal health choices should be decided by parents, not the government or a popular vote. Additionally, if the vaccines are effective then there should be no worry about vaccinated and unvaccinated children intermingling.

There is no medicine or vaccine that works for all people. A given treatment may have positive impacts for many but may also cause devastating impacts for others. All human bodies do not react the same way and vaccine mandates across the board leads to vaccine injuries and other unintended consequences. 

Jensen has leaned into health freedom issues like opposing the fluoridation of water and supporting research into the links of vaccines and food products/additives to autism but is taking major steps backwards when arguing that he will not work to change the immunization mandates for children. Jensen has also been losing ground with the grassroots with his actions like scolding Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen for his conservative Pro-Life and anti-child mutilation positions. While Jensen thinks he is taking steps to be seen as “electable” by the general electorate, he is just dividing the Republican base!

In order for a Republican to win against Tim Walz, it requires around 1.3M to 1.5M individuals vote for the GOP nominee. President Trump won over 1.5M votes in MN in the 2024 Presidential election which is the highest number of votes ever received by a Republican in our state. If the over 1.5M MAGA voters do not have their interests represented, they will not turn out to vote and the GOP will lose again. Republicans will not win by appealing to Democrats, they can only win by exciting and unifying their base. Scott Jensen does not appear capable of leading that effort and GOP voters are catching on.