Moment of silence for Chauvin at Minnesota GOP state convention sparks blowback

Minnesota Republicans left their state convention with endorsed candidates and a renewed focus on winning statewide office in 2026, but a delegate-driven tribute to Derek Chauvin is giving Democrats a fresh line of attack as the campaign season begins.

The brief moment of silent prayer for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of second-degree murder in George Floyd's killing was not planned by party leaders, but it prompted swift condemnation from Democrats.

The moment of silence came at the request of one of the roughly 2,300 delegates as the convention work began early Saturday morning. Any delegate has the right to make a motion during that part of the convention process, said state Rep. Danny Nadeau, a Republican from Rogers who chaired the convention, in an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune. Delegates offered hundreds through the weekend, he said.

Nadeau said he recommended against the motion, but his job is to facilitate the delegates' work, and he cannot unilaterally block it. The motion passed on a voice vote after Nadeau asked the crowd if they "would like to have a short 30-seconds stand in silence for Derek Chauvin."

The actual moment lasted fewer than 10 seconds before Nadeau clanged his gavel. Some Republicans were uncomfortable with the episode, while others supported it.

The vote illustrated how the convention delegate base often holds more conservative views than the broader electorate. It also served as a reminder that cultural flash points from 2020 remain deeply embedded in Republican grassroots activism, even as party leaders attempt to keep the focus on taxes, public safety and the economy.

Even if Republican officials didn't direct the moment of silence, they're now being forced to respond to it.

Retired health care executive Kendall Qualls, who was endorsed by the delegates for governor on Saturday, distanced himself from the moment of silence in a call with reporters. Qualls said he was not part of the decision and was surprised that it happened. If it was up to him, he said he would have honored all law enforcement and held a moment of silence for officers who died in the line of duty.

"There are some concerns that people have about the Chauvin case," Qualls said. "I don't know if that was the best venue to do that."

Democrats condemned it. Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office helped prosecute Chauvin, said the move "dishonors the memory of George Floyd and wounds his loved ones all over again."

"I am deeply troubled by what this says about the state of our politics," he said in a statement. "I apologize to the Floyd family and to all the dedicated officers who do their jobs honorably every day."

At the convention on Friday and Saturday, the GOP delegates endorsed Qualls and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze for U.S. Senate.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 5:32 PM.