Jim Barnett is a pro-life, pro-gun, and pro-intelligent design conservative with a mild, non-confrontational personality. And the Republican primary was mostly cordial. As a result, he was able to win the primary without angering any large portion of the GOP base. In fact, the very next day, the losing candidates rallied around his candidacy.
So while the GOP divisions remain, they don't effect Barnett's candidacy. His main problem is that he's not well-known and badly in need of campaign contributions, in contrast to Kathleen Selebius.
I agree the Guv could be very difficult to dislodge from the Senate, if she could get there.