Former NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya has 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.' 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. #micheletafoya #espn #nfl #sports #politics - @dailymailsportusa