Scott Jensen (R), who is running for governor of Minnesota, “repeated last week a bizarre hoax claim which has been debunked that children are being told they can identify as anthropomorphic cats and are being allowed to use litter boxes to urinate in schools,” CNN reports.

Said Jensen: “But what about education? What are we doing to our kids? Why are we telling elementary kids that they get to choose their gender this week? Why do we have litter boxes in some of the school districts so kids can pee in them, because they identify as a furry? We’ve lost our minds. We’ve lost our minds.”

A Minneapolis Star Tribune poll finds Gov. Tim Walz (D) leading challenger Scott Jensen (R), 48% to 41%.

A new SurveyUSA poll in Minnesota finds Gov. Tim Walz (D) holds a double-digit lead over each of six potential Republican challengers.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell (R) may run for Minnesota governor, Axios reports.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) announced he is running for governor, “attempting a restoration after eight years out of office that saw his DFL successor move the state in a more progressive direction at odds with Pawlenty’s tenure,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

“His entry shakes up the open governor’s race, scrambling a GOP field thus far plagued by a lack of enthusiasm from activists and financial donors. Gov. Mark Dayton is not running after his two terms, and the DFL field to replace him is also still unsettled.”

Tim Pawlenty (R) is fundraising toward a now-likely campaign for Minnesota governor, Minnesota Public Radio reports.

“Pawlenty has yet to announce a formal campaign for the office, which won’t have an incumbent on November’s ballot. But all signs point to a campaign, including his decision to leave a high-paid Washington D.C. job lobbying for financial services companies.”

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) is actively considering a political comeback, Minnesota Public Radio reports.

“Pawlenty is weighing a campaign for his old job and is convening a group of Republican donors and political movers this month as he seeks advice about entering a governor’s race without a clear favorite.”