In a key moment for Minnesota Republicans, the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement process for the U.S. Senate nomination moved to its fourth ballot, producing a new snapshot of voter preferences among party delegates. The results show Adam Schwarze maintaining a clear lead, with Michele Tafoya trailing but holding a strong second-place position, while Royce White follows in third.
On the fourth ballot of the Minnesota GOP endorsement convention, Adam Schwarze won 43.2% of the votes, receiving 809 total votes. That vote share places Schwarze ahead of both other major contenders, suggesting that a large segment of delegates preferred him compared with the remaining options.
Michele Tafoya secured 32.2% of the votes, with 603 votes. While Tafoya did not overtake Schwarze, her performance indicates significant support within the party. Her percentage shows she remains a competitive figure in the endorsement contest, retaining enough delegate backing to remain a central focus of the convention’s decision-making.
Royce White finished with 23.9% of the votes and 448 total votes. White’s numbers show a smaller level of support relative to the top two candidates, but he still remains in the running as the convention continues through the endorsement rounds. The third-place finish signals that, at least on this ballot, White did not command the majority coalition held by Schwarze and did not reach the vote totals that would place him close to Tafoya.
Beyond the three leading candidates, the ballot also included alternatives in the form of non-endorsement outcomes and procedural preferences. Notably, the option of “No endorsement” received 8 votes, and “No preference” garnered 4 votes. Although these figures are small compared with the candidates’ totals, their presence reflects that some delegates either did not want to endorse a candidate at this stage or preferred to withhold their preference.
The fourth-ballot results highlight how the endorsement tally is shaping up within the Minnesota Republican Party. With Schwarze leading at 43.2%, he appears to have the most durable base of support so far, while Tafoya’s 32.2% indicates she remains within striking distance in terms of overall delegate support, even though the gap between the two is meaningful. Meanwhile, White’s 23.9% suggests he could remain influential if the convention’s dynamics shift in later rounds, such as if delegates realign their support.
These results are crucial not only for understanding who leads at this specific stage, but also for anticipating how later ballots could change the balance. In endorsement processes, delegate preferences can evolve as candidates gain or lose momentum, and as delegates consolidate their votes. Although the fourth ballot did not produce an immediate resolution in the form of an endorsement outcome described in the excerpt, it clearly provides direction for the next steps by showing where delegate support currently stands.
Taken together, the vote breakdown demonstrates a contest defined by three primary candidates and a relatively minimal number of delegates opting out through “No endorsement” or “No preference.” That implies most delegates participating in the endorsement process are actively choosing among the candidate options rather than rejecting endorsement or remaining neutral.
Overall, the fourth ballot’s outcome establishes a hierarchy—Schwarze first, Tafoya second, and White third—that will likely inform how the convention approaches subsequent rounds. Until the endorsement decision is finalized, each new ballot will matter, potentially reshaping delegate coalitions and the final outcome for the U.S. Senate endorsement.
Source: Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel: BREAKING: Results from the fourth ballot of the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate. 1. Adam Schwarze: 43.2% (809 votes) 2. Michele Tafoya: 32.2% (603 votes) 3. Royce White: 23.9% (448 votes) 4. No endorsement 8 votes 5. No preference: 4 votes Convention. #breaking
— @LukeSprinkel May 1, 2026
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