Walz, Jensen Cast Votes In Drama-Filled Campaign For Governor: Photos

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz and Republican challenger Scott Jensen both cast ballots Tuesday morning after what was a contentious and drama-filled campaign for Minnesota's highest office.

Walz initially did very little campaigning and rarely mentioned Jensen by name early on, while the Democrat held a strong lead in poll after poll.

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But after federal charges were filed in the Feeding Our Future fraud case, polls tightened and state Democrats were put on their heels. Walz became especially defensive and ended up publicly sparring with a state judge.

But Jensen and his running mate — former Minnesota Vikings player Matt Birk — caused plenty of drama themselves.

Jensen took criticism for comparing COVID-19 lockdown measures to the Holocaust. Birk's anti-abortion "rape card" comment also drew criticism.

The Jensen-Birk campaign took arrows from fellow conservatives, including former GOP strategist Michael Brodkob and Kristin Hawkins, the president and founder of "Students for Life," a national anti-abortion group.

Brodkob said Jensen's campaign for governor was dead on arrival, and Hawkins criticized the Republican gubernatorial candidate for flip-flopping on the issue of abortion.

Despite campaign missteps, at least one poll showed Walz and Jensen essentially tied.