Michelle Benson, Paul Gazelka, Scott Jensen, Mike Murphy and Neil Shah discussed their personal health histories and vaccine views during a 3rd District candidate forum in Wayzata, Minnesota, on Tuesday, Dec. 7.
It was the first time in the campaign that the candidates have publicly debated, but their comments focused more on the DFL governor than on one another.
Since being elected to the state senate in 2010 Paul Gazelka's been a consistent advocate for the far-right minority in Minnesota, starting with his losing battle to ban gay marriage in the state and more recently downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic and siding with vehement anti-maskers.
The former Senate president was elected Sept. 8 to lead the caucus after former Majority Leader Paul Gazelka stepped down to pursue a bid for governor.
The former Senate majority leader has garnered a reputation in St. Paul as a dealmaker and negotiator, clinching budget deals with the Democratic governor's office and state House year after year.
After more than a month in legislative special session, the Minnesota Senate gaveled out Wednesday after taking up then abandoning a set of commissioner confirmations.
