Adam Schwarze wins Minnesota GOP endorsement for US Senate

Republicans are in Duluth today to kick-off their state endorsing convention. Over the next two days, elected Republican delegates will pile into the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center to conduct party business and endorse candidates for statewide offices.

The first day of the convention began Friday at 10 a.m. The endorsement process will begin later today. During the convention, delegates will endorse candidates for U.S. Senate, state auditor, secretary of state, attorney general, and governor.

Updates from the first day of the convention will be posted here.

— 9:43 p.m. —

The Minnesota Republican state convention has recessed until tomorrow. The convention will resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Delegates will endorse a candidate for governor tomorrow.

— 9:40 p.m. —

Results from the second ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for secretary of state are in.

1. Tad Jude: 75.8% (1263 votes)
2. David Meissner: 14.6% (243 votes)
3. Wendy Phillips: 9.2% (154 votes)

Tad Jude is now the Republican-endorsed candidate for Minnesota secretary of state.

— 9:33 p.m. —

Results from the first ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for secretary of state are in.

1. Tad Jude: 55.9% (901 votes)
2. David Meissner: 24.7% (398 votes)
3. Wendy Phillips: 19% (306 votes)

A candidate needs 60% to win the endorsement. The delegates are already voting on the second ballot. All three candidates will be on the second ballot.

— 9:19 p.m. —

The three secretary of state candidates are Tad Jude, Wendy Phillips, and David Meissner.

Each candidate has addressed the convention. The delegates are voting now.

— 8:44 p.m. —

The convention was scheduled to vote on the endorsement for secretary of state tonight. However, a delegate made a motion to recess and begin tomorrow morning with the secretary of state race.

That motion failed. As such, the convention is going to vote on the secretary of state endorsement tonight.

— 8:38 p.m. —

Results from the first ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for state auditor are in.

1. Nate George: 76.8% (1286 votes)
2. Scott Jensen: 22.7% (360 votes)

Nate George is now the Republican-endorsed candidate for Minnesota state auditor. Scott Jensen did not pledge to abide by the endorsement.

— 8:16 p.m. —

Convention delegates and attendees have been here since this morning.

Convention fatigue could set in and impact endorsements for state auditor and secretary of state.

Endorsements for state auditor and secretary of state are supposed to be decided tonight. The endorsement for governor is scheduled for tomorrow.

— 8:01 p.m. —

The Minnesota Republican convention is now considering candidates for state auditor.

Only Braham Mayor Nate George and former State Sen. Scott Jensen’s names were put forward for nomination.

Notably, State Rep. Elliott Engen’s name was not placed into nomination for endorsement. Engen has been running for state auditor for months.

— 7:57 p.m. —

Adam Schwarze is now the Republican-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate. Michele Tafoya did not pledge to abide by the endorsement.

Tafoya released a statement confirming she will run in the August Republican primary election.

The Tafoya campaign has confirmed that Michele Tafoya will run in the August primary.

"I appreciate the delegates and everyone who participated in this convention," Tafoya said in a statement. "Republicans care deeply about the future of Minnesota, and I’m grateful for the… pic.twitter.com/Haakbg4kvO

— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 30, 2026

— 7:50 p.m. —

Results from the sixth ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate are in.

1. Adam Schwarze: 62.6% (1132 votes)
2. Michele Tafoya: 31.8% (575 votes)

Schwarze is the endorsed candidate.

— 7:31 p.m. —

Schwarze told the crowd “we’re almost there.”

He argued that turning out Republicans is enough to win in Minnesota.

Schwarze appealed to “155 people” to put him over the finish line.

— 7:28 p.m. —

Speaking to the crowd again, Tafoya argued that her presence at the top of the ticket in November would help Republicans up and down the ballot.

She also said she would have “resources to share,” a reference to the significant money she has raised.

“It takes all of us to fight the left,” she said.

— 7:15 p.m. —

Results from the fifth ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate are in.

1. Adam Schwarze: 55% (1017 votes)
2. Michele Tafoya: 36.9% (683 votes)
3. No endorsement 7.7% (143 votes)
4. No preference: 5 votes
5. There were two write-in votes.

Convention rules state that a candidate needs 60% of the vote to win the endorsement. Both candidates will speak again before the sixth round.

— 6:45 p.m. —

Results from the fourth ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate are in.

1. Adam Schwarze: 43.2% (809 votes)
2. Michele Tafoya: 32.2% (603 votes)
3. Royce White: 23.9% (448 votes)
4. No endorsement 8 votes
5. No preference: 4 votes

Convention rules state that the candidate with the lowest amount of votes will not be on the next ballot. As such, White will not be on the next ballot.

— 6:31 p.m. —

Royce White encouraged delegates to “hold the line” and said the endorsement has become “a dog fight.”

White said Tafoya and Schwarze are “establishment” and he is “a little radical.”

— 6:26 p.m. —

Tafoya, making the argument that she can win the general election, told the crowd she has polling, finances, and name ID on her side.

Tafoya said she will defend the Second Amendment, expressed opposition to the federal government spending money on abortion, and said she opposes amnesty.

Tafoya said Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan want to face any other Republican than herself.

— 6:14 p.m. —

Results from the third ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate are in.

1. Adam Schwarze: 47.5%% (877 votes)
2. Michele Tafoya: 30.9%% (571 votes)
3. Royce White: 21% (388 votes)
4. No endorsement 9 votes
5. No preference: 3 votes

Any candidate that does not reach 20% on this ballot will not advance to the next round of balloting.

As such, all three candidates will be on the next ballot. All three candidates will address the convention again.

— 6:04 p.m. —

Delegates are now voting on the third ballot for the Republican endorsement for U.S. Senate.

A candidate needs 60% of the vote to win the endorsement.

— 6:01 p.m. —

Michele Tafoya is speaking now. She told the crowd that they are “the best of America” and talked about how much she has traveled the state

Tafoya said she will never compromise her conservative values.

“I am a conservative who can win for you,” she told the crowd.

Tafoya expressed her opposition to the federal government spending money on abortion.

— 5:57 p.m. —

Royce White is speaking now. He said there is too much lobbyist and special interest money controlling what people think.

White also criticized the Republicans who supported Tafoya. He asked delegates to stand if they support the unborn.

White encouraged delegates to “vote your faith.”

— 5:54 p.m. —

Schwarze is addressing the crowd now. He is carrying an American flag over his shoulder.

“We do not have to sacrifice our values, and we will win,” he told the crowd.

He told the crowd he is a follower of Jesus Christ and not sharia law. Schwarze also said he “leans into the issue of life,” a not-so-veiled criticism of Tafoya.

Schwarze’s biological mother gave him up for adoption after he was born. His biological mother and his adopted mother introduced him onstage earlier in the convention.

He reiterated that he is abiding by the endorsement.

— 5:45 p.m. —

The three remaining candidates, Adam Schwarze; Michele Tafoya; and Royce White, will address the convention again before voting on the third ballot starts.

— 5:43 p.m. —

Results from the second ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate are in.

1. Adam Schwarze: 41.4% (823 votes)
2. Michele Tafoya: 28.3% (564 votes)
3. Royce White: 18.1% (360 votes)
4. Mark York: 12.1% (241 votes)
5. No endorsement 2 votes
6. No preference: 0 votes

Any candidate that did not reach 15% on this ballot will not advance to the next round of balloting. As such, York will not be on the next ballot.

— 5:23 p.m. —

Results from the first ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate are in.

1. Adam Schwarze: 38.2% (703 votes)
2. Michele Tafoya: 24.6% (452 votes)
3. Royce White: 19.3% (355 votes)
4. Mark York: 14.5% (267 votes)
5. Tom Weiler: 2.2% (40 votes)
6. Alycia Gruenhagen: 1.1% (20 votes)
7. No preference: 3 votes
8. No endorsement: 1 vote

Any candidate that does not reach 10% will not advance to the next round of balloting. As such, Weiler and Gruenhagen will not be on the next ballot.

— 5:00 p.m. —

Candidate remarks have concluded. Voting on the first ballot for the Republican U.S. Senate endorsement will begin in a few minutes.

— 4:46 p.m. —

Brian Hegseth, the father of U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, was among a group that introduced Adam Schwarze to the convention.

Adam Schwarze is speaking now.

— 4:15 p.m. —

Tom Weiler, Alycia Gruenhagen, and Royce White have spoken to delegates. Michele Tafoya is speaking now.

— 3:47 p.m. —

Each U.S. Senate candidate is given a few minutes to speak. Alycia Gruenhagen is speaking now.

Any candidate that does not get 10% on the first ballot will not advance to the second ballot.

— 3:30 p.m. —

The endorsement process for U.S. Senate has begun.

There are six candidates seeking the Republican endorsement: Adam Schwarze, Michele Tafoya, Mark York, Tom Weiler, Royce White, and Alycia Gruenhagen.

Tom Weiler is speaking now.

— 2:37 p.m. —

More photos from the convention floor: pic.twitter.com/ussZkunYNP

— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 29, 2026

— 1:37 p.m. —

Ron Schutz was just endorsed by acclamation. He is now the Republican-endorsed candidate for Minnesota attorney general.

Schutz was just endorsed by acclamation. He is now the Republican-endorsed candidate for Minnesota attorney general. https://t.co/ZOqYZWI8Ek

— Luke Sprinkel (@LukeSprinkel) May 29, 2026

— 1:35 p.m. —

Ron Schutz just finished addressing the crowd. He is an attorney, former Army JAG Office, and was twice named to Forbes’ list of of America’s top 200 lawyers.

In his speech, he pledged to support women and girls who do not want to be forced to compete against biological males in sports.

He repeatedly attacked DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison and said the incumbent attorney general is “soft on crime.”

— 1:24 p.m. —

Rep. Anderson announced that they found attorney general candidate Ron Schutz “qualified.”

Schutz has now been nominated for the Republican endorsement for attorney general. He does not have opposition in the race for the endorsement.

He will address the convention shortly.

— 1:20 p.m. —

State Rep. Patti Anderson, the chair of the convention’s nominations committee, is going through the process the party uses to review candidates.

When a candidate seeks to be endorsed by the Minnesota Republican Party, the candidate submits information that is reviewed by the party. That process includes a background check.

The party then designates each candidate as either “qualified,” “qualified with reservations,” or “unqualified.”

— 1:10 p.m. —

The convention just voted down a motion to move the U.S. Senate endorsement to immediately before the governor endorsement, which is scheduled to occur tomorrow.

As such, the U.S. Senate endorsement will occur today after the attorney general endorsement.

— 1:00 p.m. —

In a voice vote, the convention voted down the motion to eliminate the use of electronic clickers. As such, electronic balloting will be used.

— 12:47 p.m. —

Delegates are now considering a motion to eliminate electronic balloting from the convention.

— 12:42 p.m. —

Convention Chair Nadeau has announced that the voting card problem has been resolved. All eight congressional districts appear to have gone through the process at the teller’s table. The convention has been in a recess for over an hour. That recess is expected to end soon.

— 11:37 a.m. —

Nadeau returned to the podium to say that some alternates were provided voting cards when they should not have been. He directed the chairs of CD2 to go to the teller’s table and said the convention will hear from speakers while the problem is being worked out.

— 11:32 a.m. —

Convention chair State Rep. Danny Nadeau is back at the podium. He said there is some kind of problem that needs to be worked out. He directed all BPOU chairs in CD1 to go to the teller’s table. He also asked the chair of CD1 to join them.

Nadeau announced that each congressional district will take turns going to the teller’s table. He did not say specifically what the problem was. Because each congressional district needs to take turns going to the front, the convention could be delayed by an hour or more.

— 11:11 a.m. —

Two delegates have now asked the convention to take a break because there are still many delegates who have not gotten their credentials yet.

Convention chair State Rep. Danny Nadeu has just announced a 10 minute break.

— 11:09 a.m. —

A quorum is present. The delegates have just voted to move the attorney general endorsement to be the first endorsement of the day.

— 10:55 a.m. —

Candidate ads for attorney general candidate Ron Schutz and U.S. Senate candidate Mark York have played. The ads are playing in between convention remarks and business.

The convention is being chaired by State Rep. Danny Nadeau and State Rep. Kristin Knudsen. Nadeau announced that a quorum is present.

— 10:43 a.m. —

Delegates are seated, and the convention played ads on the big screens for U.S. Senate candidates Tom Weiler and Michele Tafoya. More candidate ads are expected to be played throughout the convention.

State Rep. Kristin Robbins, a former candidate for governor, is addressing the crowd now. She is a delegate to the convention. During her speech, Robbins noted that the endorsement for governor will not occur until tomorrow.