In a move that shocked many GOP activists, the Minnesota Republican Party on Saturday endorsed former NBA player and 5th Congressional District candidate Royce White to run against incumbent Amy Klobuchar for U.S. Senate.
White, who once marched with Black Lives Matter protesters and has more recently become a right-wing media darling, podcaster and Republican candidate, was introduced at the convention with an endorsement video from former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon, whom he called a “dear friend.”
In his convention speeches, White said Klobuchar is part of the Washington, D.C., establishment “swamp,” and said his low levels of campaign funding demonstrate his status as an outsider.
“The number one problem in this country is money in politics,” said White, later adding: “We need people now more than ever that can’t be bought.”
Delegates to the state GOP convention in St. Paul on Saturday voted overwhelmingly in favor of White over political newcomer and Navy veteran Joe Fraser. Two-thirds of delegates backed White in the first round of voting, though the endorsement came with “reservation” because he had not raised enough money for his campaign.
White has a little more than $10,000 for his campaign, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. As of March 31, Klobuchar had more than $5.7 million.
One delegate who supported White said he liked the 33-year-old because he was not a “handpicked” establishment favorite and instead had “grassroots” support in the party.
“He’s certainly not one of the elites,” said Alex Plechash, who is also the Minnesota Republican Party’s delegate to the Republican National Committee.
White played one season for the University of Minnesota and one at Iowa State before being drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 16th overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft and was well known for his activism and criticisms of the NBA’s approach to mental health. His struggles with anxiety were widely publicized, and his fear of flying meant his team had to drive him between games. White said the NBA didn’t do enough to help players with mental health issues and eventually left the league in 2018.
After his departure from sports, White emerged as a populist Republican with ties to the conspiracy right. He unsuccessfully ran in the 2022 Republican primary to challenge Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in 2022 and is known for appearing on right-wing and conspiracy theory-promoting online media programs, like Alex Jones’ InfoWars and Steve Bannon’s War Room.
Former Minnesota Republican party deputy chair Michael Brodkorb said White’s nomination could make voters perceive the GOP less seriously.
“White comes from the basketball world. The Republicans just endorsed the Washington Generals,” said Brodkorb, referencing the perennial opponents of the Harlem Globetrotters. “There’s no way that Royce White is going to be given to any type of credible campaign against Senator Klobuchar.”
Klobuchar campaign spokesperson Ben Hill said the senator “continues to do her work for Minnesota” but had no comment specific to White’s endorsement.
The surprise endorsement came just a day after a visit from former president Donald Trump to the Minnesota GOP’s Lincoln Reagan dinner.
GOP delegates endorsing White is an important step toward gaining the nomination, but it’s not a guarantee. Candidates don’t always honor the state convention’s endorsement, as was the case in 2022 when attorney general candidate Doug Wardlow unsuccessfully ran in the primary against GOP-endorsed Jim Schultz. The 2024 primary is Aug. 13
Fraser’s campaign previously said it would honor the endorsement but on Saturday did not have any immediate comment on its next plans.
The Republican nominee will run against Klobuchar, who was elected in 2006 and comfortably won reelection in 2012 and 2018.
No Minnesota Republican has won statewide office since Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s 2006 reelection.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated White’s age.
