Former NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya won the Republican primary for Minnesota's open US Senate seat following Tuesday night's state vote. The 61-year-old veteran broadcaster secured over 52 percent of the vote, defeating former NBA player Royce White and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze.
Tafoya leaned heavily into cultural issues throughout her campaign, placing her opposition to "biological men" competing in female sports at the core. The transgender athlete debate re-emerged as a central topic in the race after rival White publicly claimed he would enter the WNBA Draft. Tafoya campaigned vigorously on protecting women's sports while also targeting public fraud scandals and advocating for increased law enforcement funding.
Earlier this month, Tafoya joined the likes of Riley Gaines at a Sophie Cunningham rally in Minneapolis after her comments regarding transgender inclusion in sports. Following her primary victory, Tafoya released a statement telling voters that Minnesotans are "ready for a new direction" after years of Democratic rule.
"We've seen what career politicians have done in this state," Tafoya said. "They've brought us to a place of national embarrassment, and this state is ready for change."
Minnesota Senate Race and General Election
Tafoya, who stepped away from sportscasting in 2022 after working at the likes of NBC and ESPN, will now advance to November's general election clash. She is set to face Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in the race to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith, as Republicans attempt to flip the open seat.
Meanwhile, former basketball star White recently trolled his critics by posing in a wig and celebrating his "feminine era" just days after declaring for the WNBA Draft. The 35-year-old, who only played three games in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings, became the second ex-NBA player to declare for next year's draft as the WNBA battles division surrounding transgender inclusion in sports.
White followed Enes Kanter Freedom, sparking a backlash when he told Fox News Digital that he is now transgender and wants to join the likes of Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham on the court next season. The WNBA has been engulfed in controversy over transgender athletes in recent weeks, after Indiana Fever star Cunningham said she wants to "protect young girls" from "biological men."
WNBA Transgender Athlete Controversy
Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams claimed she would happily welcome a transgender player to her team. Meanwhile, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" t-shirt on the sidelines of their game against the Fever.
White also shared some of the abuse he has received since declaring for the WNBA Draft, which included apparent death threats and insults such as "stupid motherf***er." Earlier on Sunday, the 35-year-old appeared on Fox News to discuss the viral photo and his WNBA plans.
"I'm just having a blast in my feminine era," he said. "I never thought that I was a woman. I've always trusted the science and thought I was a man my entire life."
"But after further review... it would appear that I am indeed sometimes identifying as a transgender woman and I think it's only fair I get a chance to play with some of my queens here in the twilight of my career, my athletic prime."
