On paper, Royce White seems like an ideal political outsider: a charismatic public figure with a compelling personal narrative. The Minnesota Republican Party tapped White — a former college basketball star, first-round NBA draft pick, mental health advocate and popular podcast host — as its endorsed candidate to take on Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar.Â
However, White's endorsement came "qualified, with reservations." White, who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) in 2022, has long courted the fringes of his party's right wing with offensive rhetoric about women, Jewish people and the LGBTQ+ community. It marks a significant moment for the Minnesota GOP, which has struggled to win statewide office for years.
'Unusual candidate' While Minnesota Republicans "overwhelmingly" backed White's endorsement, he has "gotten major pushback" from "three of the last Republicans to win a statewide race in Minnesota — former senators Rudy Boschwitz and Norm Coleman, as well as former Gov. Tim Pawlenty," CBS News said. White has rejected their criticisms, claiming their style of Republican politics has "never really been very successful" at bringing in younger voters and voters of color.Â
White is an "unusual candidate," state party Chair David Hann said to ABC affiliate KTSP. "There's no question about it." Nevertheless, "we have to give him the opportunity to make the case." White's endorsement "reflects poorly on the state political party," which knew of many of his controversies before his endorsement, the Minnesota Reformer said. White will likely be a "gift to Democrats this cycle," The New York Times said.Â
'Support of national far-right Republican figures' While some Minnesota conservatives have attributed White's party endorsement to "low convention turnout and a flawed nominating process," it can also be attributed to the "support of national far-right Republican figures" such as Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), InfoWars host Alex Jones and Steve Bannon, who introduced White at the party convention, The Star Tribune said.
Crucially, White is not yet the Minnesota GOP's official Senate nominee. Candidate Joe Fraser announced he would continue to pursue the nomination in the August GOP primary despite his party endorsing White. With White on the ballot, Democrats will "win and win big this fall," Fraser said in a campaign video.Â
White faces an "uphill battle," said Ja'han Jones at MSNBC. He's also proof that Democrats should pay attention to the "right-wing podcast world," which is where "conservative celebrities are created, narratives are spun and campaigns are launched." |