The Doctor is in

 The Minnesota Republicans have their first gubernatorial candidate for the 2022 cycle. 

Physician and former Republican legislator Scott Jensen will run for governor in next year’s election, with an official announcement likely next week.

The 66-year-old, who retired in January after one term in the Minnesota Senate, gained national recognition for his contrarian views on the COVID-19 pandemic. As a family doctor, many in the media took his skepticism seriously. Since leaving politics, Jensen continued his criticism, with several online videos that have aired at Alpha News.

“Over the past year, Scott has gained national attention for his criticism of the CDC’s guidelines on the classification of coronavirus deaths due to inflated numbers,” a release about his gubernatorial campaign said in part. “He has been and will continue to search for truth and expose the facts surrounding COVID-19 and the measures Gov. Walz has implemented. He will elevate thoughtful discourse, engage in difficult conversations, and will not allow pandering groupthink to impede the vital contributions science can provide.”

Naturally the focus of the the DFL will be Jensen's commentary on COVID-19, specifically allegations of his being a "COVID denier." Alas, that is the id of the left wing these days in that refusal to panic or be hamstrung with fear is tantamount to being in denial. For his outspokenness on the virus, Jensen was investigated by the Minnesota State Board of Medical Practice upon multiple anonymous complaints being filed against him. While he was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing, Jensen can use that saga to his advantage by simply reminding voters he's Exhibit A in how people with a political axe to grind can weaponize speech. In this era of "Cancel Culture," that's a concept which could resonate with many.

Jensen will also have to grapple with folks on the right in light of his willingness to entertain gun control legislation two years ago while in the MN Senate. Even though he backed down from what many perceived as an anti-gun position, he's still going to have to assuage the concerns of perhaps the most well organized grassroots organization in this state, which is the pro 2nd Amendment crowd. 

In the end, I would have no issue supporting Jensen were he to become the GOP nominee. However, I'm still hopeful that a much broader field emerges. 

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