In early election results Tuesday night, former NBA player turned right-wing media personality Royce White appeared to hold the edge over political newcomer and establishment favorite Joe Fraser in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Minnesota.

With 2,436 of 4,102 precincts reporting as of 9:45 p.m., White had 38.8% of the vote versus Fraser’s 30.3%. The winner of the primary will be the Republican nominee who will face third-term Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the Nov. 5 general election.

White won the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement at the May state party convention in a move that surprised some political observers and dismayed traditional establishment Republicans. His introduction to the convention was an endorsement video from former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon, whom White called a “dear friend.”

White, a one-time basketball star who got his start in Minnesota and made a name for himself advocating for mental health reforms in the NBA, emerged in recent years as a populist Republican with ties to the conspiracy right.

Fraser had initially said he would not run against the endorsed candidate but changed his mind after the GOP’s convention where White won the party’s backing.

Fraser, who has never run for office before, served 26 years in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence specialist and commissioned intelligence officer and now works in banking. He’s endorsed by Republicans including former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and former Minnesota U.S. Sens. Norm Coleman and Rudy Boschwitz.

Fraser and White weren’t the only candidates vying for the Republican nomination in Tuesday’s primary. John Berman, Patrick D. Munro, Christopher Seymore Sr., Raymond D. Petersen, Alycia R. Gruenhagen and Loner Blue also appeared on the ballot. As of 9:45 p.m. they shared about 30.9% of the vote.

Klobuchar wins primary

Klobuchar, who is seeking a fourth term in office, faced a minimal challenge in the Democratic primary. As of 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, Klobuchar had 93.5% of the vote, and the Associated Press named her the winner.

Steve Carlson, Ahmad R. Hassan, George H. Kalberer and perennial candidate Ole Savior also appeared on the Democratic ballot.

The winner of the GOP primary faces a rough road ahead in the general election. Klobuchar, who was first elected to the Senate in 2006, comfortably won reelection in 2012 and 2018. She also enjoys a significant cash advantage over her potential GOP challengers.

Klobuchar’s campaign had nearly $6.4 million at the end of June, versus White’s more than $47,600 and Fraser’s $17,400.

No Republican has won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006.

Minnesota House District 4

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, who has represented the Fourth Congressional District since 2001, faced no challengers in the Democratic primary.

Republican May Lor Xiong, who challenged McCollum in 2022, is facing off with Gene Rechtzigel in the GOP primary. As of about 9:45 p.m., Xiong had 62.9% of the vote with 44 of 212 precincts reporting.

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