U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar will be facing off against a former professional basketball player to retain her Minnesota Senate seat in November.
The three-term Democrat is the first woman to represent Minnesota in the Senate and will be defending her seat against former Sacramento Kings player Royce White, a longshot to win in the state that has voted for Democratic presidential candidates since 1976.
A self-described “MAGA extremist,” according to the Star Tribune, White secured an upset for the Minnesota GOP as he defeated rival U.S. Navy officer Joe Fraser in the primary despite Fraser having the backing of former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN.) and former Republican Sens. Rudy Boschwitz and Norm Coleman.
(Video Credit: WKBT News 8 Now)
The 33-year-old Minneapolis native and former NBA player earned the endorsement of the North Star State’s GOP as well as from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake. Others in former President Trump’s circle like Steve Bannon and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell also support him.
“We face an enemy that intends to bastardize our citizenship through an idea called globalism. We must begin to understand how the global affects the local and take a stand for God, Family, and Country,” White said on his campaign website, adding that he would be a leader who won’t “sell out.”
“I have fought against the corporate community responsible for this globalist agenda. Send me to Washington so I can continue that fight on the Senate floor in the swamp,” he said.
I thank every Minnesotan who voted in tonight’s primary election. I’m deeply honored to have your support during this critical time in our nation’s history.
For many years, Republicans have talked about expanding our tent and focusing on the Twin Cities Metro. I am committed to… pic.twitter.com/T6I0E4DoTD
— Royce White (@Highway_30) August 14, 2024
White previously lost the GOP primary when he tried to run against Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in 2022. Fraser, who served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years, ceded when he lost the Republican nomination in May’s GOP convention. But he did a 180 and jumped back in the race, eventually losing to White who garnered nearly 40% of the vote.
“While I am disappointed that tonight’s results did not go our way, I am also saddened that our ability to compete in the general election and bring about real change to our state has been thwarted by our party’s embrace of an unelectable candidate,” Fraser said in a statement after Tuesday’s defeat. “I still believe Minnesota’s best days are ahead of us. Unfortunately, with Royce White at the top of the statewide ticket this fall, those days will most likely be delayed for years as Minnesotans look elsewhere for real leadership.”
Took Mom to the polls with me this morning. Resemblance? She was in tears… Single mother raised me on her own with the help of so many in our community. Today she got to vote for her son to become a United States Senator. First time she voted for a Republican… More to come! pic.twitter.com/che810PS5v
— Royce White (@Highway_30) August 13, 2024
“For many years, Republicans have talked about expanding our tent and focusing on the Twin Cities Metro,” White said in a statement after winning the primary. “I am committed to growing the base, bringing disenfranchised democrats into the tent, and unifying all conservatives in Minnesota. By doing this, we will deliver a victory for President Trump this November. Together we will bring the battle to unseat Amy Klobuchar.”
So incredibly proud of you.
You have done this with no support from the powerbrokers, but all of the support of the Minnesota grassroots. That is admirable! I know you will represent Minnesota well in the United States Senate. Let’s beat Amy Klobuchar and deliver Senator Royce…— Kari Lake (@KariLake) August 14, 2024
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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