Former GOP Chair David Hann suspends U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS - Republican David Hann has suspended his campaign for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, ending a bid for higher office by the former head of the Minnesota GOP.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 29, Hann called for Minnesotans to vote for "common sense, conservative leadership" in the November election.
He did not endorse another candidate in the crowded field.
Hann entered the race in December when Republicans were struggling to recruit high-profile candidates. In January, however, former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya jumped in with the backing from the Senate Republicans' campaign arm.
Tafoya has outraised her rivals and is competing for the Republican endorsement with a handful of other candidates, including former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze and ex-NBA player Royce White.
Hann became chair of the Minnesota Republican Party in 2021. His predecessor, Jennifer Carnahan, was removed from the position after a tenure marked by scandal and money problems.
Republicans failed to win a statewide office and lost control of the Legislature in the 2022 elections, but in 2024 secured a tie in the state House, enough to break the DFL's governing trifecta.
Still, the party ousted Hann in December 2024 in favor of current Chair Alex Plechash.
Hann said he left the party in better financial shape.
He was also the state Senate GOP leader from 2013 until 2016.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 3:11 PM.