Scott M. Jensen was a member of the Minnesota Senate from 2017 to 2021. Jensen is running to be Minnesota’s next governor in 2022.

A member of the Republican Party, Jensen was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. His father, Carl Jensen, was a member of the state legislature at various times between 1951 and 1980.

Jensen graduated as the valedictorian from Sleepy Eye High School in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, in 1973. He attended Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary from 1977 to 1978 and the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in physiology in 1978 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1981.

He earned his M.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1981.

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Jensen was a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and has had a small family medical practice in Watertown, Minnesota, since 1986.

During the 1990s and 2000s, he served on the Waconia school board. He was a member of the Citizens Alliance Bank board, serving as the audit committee chair. He was the 2016 Minnesota Family Physician of the Year.

Jensen practices family medicine at his clinic in Watertown, Minnesota.

During his term in the legislature, he was regarded as moderate. After leaving the legislature, his views shifted to the right.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jensen was known for his criticisms of COVID-19 lockdowns and promotion of COVID-19 anti-vaccination falsehoods.

In an affidavit, Jensen claimed that “it would be reckless to subject anyone in that age group to the experimental COVID-19 vaccine” and that he believes recommending that children get vaccinated “would violate his oath as a doctor and place him in an untenable position.”

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For his candidacy in the 2022 election, he was endorsed by the Minnesota Republican Party at its 2022 convention. His running mate is former professional football player Matt Birk.

Jensen and his wife, Mary, have three children and reside in Laketown Township.