Republican Dr. Scott Jensen raised $1.2 million in 2021, more than doubling the funds raised by the next-closest candidate, according to campaign finance reports released Tuesday.
Jensen ended the off-year with $1.2 million raised and $807,436 in cash on hand. In second place was Sen. Paul Gazelka, who raised $545,770 and concluded the year with $460,348 in the bank.
Dr. Neil Shah outraised Sen. Michelle Benson but ended the year with far less available cash. According to the reports, Benson raised $212,103 and has $121,337 available, whereas Shah raised $227,997 but has just $26,907 left over.
Kendall Qualls and Sheriff Rich Stanek announced their campaigns this year so no 2021 reports are available. Mayor Mike Murphy’s year-end report has not been published.
Jensen announced his candidacy in March of last year, several months before his GOP competitors began their campaigns.
All seven candidates are vying for the GOP endorsement to take on Gov. Tim Walz in November. Walz maintains a significant fundraising advantage over his potential opponents; he raised $3.6 million in 2021 and almost none of it has been spent.
