Gov. Walz has more cash entering final weeks of campaign, but Jensen saw a boost the law few months
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- DFL incumbent Gov. Tim Walz has more money in the bank than GOP nominee Dr. Scott Jensen in the final weeks before the election, new campaign finance reports show, and both campaigns are also ramping up spending in their last push to score voters' support.
Walz has $3.2 million cash on hand through mid-September and has raised more than $4.2 million since the beginning of this year, the records show. Meanwhile Jensen had $864,000 available to spend as of the latest filing and has brought in more than $3 million since January, including a public subsidy payment totaling more than $580,000.
Both candidates have spent tens of thousands on direct mail, digital ads, TV ads - which are costly to produce and put on air - and texting outreach to voters.
The candidates' committees aren't the only ones spending on this top-of-ticket race. Democratic-aligned group Alliance for a Better Minnesota, for example, spent $8.9 million on ads attacking Jensen for past comments he's made about abortion.
Each candidate vying for the state's top job lauded their fundraising hauls reflected in the latest reports. Jensen's campaign said he's raised more money this election cycle than any other GOP candidate for governor, surpassing a record previously set by former Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
"Everyday Minnesotans clearly want a change in leadership in our state, and they're not only propelling us to record breaking numbers, but victory this fall. On November 8th, we're going to Heal Minnesota," Jensen said in a statement.
Walz's campaign said 85 percent of its donations have come from Minnesotans and underscored that it has millions in the bank in the final weeks until the election.
"As Election Day approaches, more and more Minnesotans are showing their support for Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan's leadership," said Nichole Johnson, campaign manager. "Gov. Walz has led Minnesota to the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and has put forward a vision for fully funding education, protecting abortion access, and making sure our economy supports middle-class families."
Polling averages from RealClearPolitics have Walz leading Jensen by five points, but it ranks the race as a "toss-up."
At a news conference Wednesday, Walz took aim at Jensen for taking the public subsidy, but said he thinks the race will be close.
"It doesn't surprise me the money's flowing in. It doesn't surprise me this will be close," Walz said. "I'm just very proud our team continues to garner great support in all corners of the state."
A large-scale alleged fraud scheme by Twin Cities nonprofit Feeding Our Future looms over the election. The U.S. Department of Justice filed federal charges against 49 people accused of stealing $250 million meant to feed hungry children during the pandemic.
Jensen and other Republicans are putting blame on Walz and his administration for not doing enough to stop the alleged fraud. Walz defends the Minnesota Department of Education for identifying red flags and notifying the FBI.
"I think the following questions have to be asked: What did Gov. Walz know? When did he learn what he knew?" Jensen said earlier this week.
When asked Wednesday by a reporter if he was worried the scandal would jeopardize his re-election bid, Walz responded "no."
"We still were the state that took care of children best during the pandemic," he said. "I hate that there's criminals out there, but I like that there is justice to be served."
