Minnesota Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach, said she is hopeful the state will swing right during November elections.
She said if voters elect Republicans, it could be the first time in history the state is entirely Republican controlled.
“We’re going to be fighting against their progressive, liberal agenda. … We will continue to work through and just explain to people what we stand for and I think the state of Minnesota shares those beliefs,” she said in an interview with the Herald Monday.
Fischbach and her running mate, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, lost their bid for the Republican nomination for the governor’s office in Tuesday’s primary election to Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson and running mate Donna Bergstrom.
While the House is currently Republican controlled, the Senate is equally split after Fischbach resigned in May to become the lieutenant governor. She took the role after former Sen. Al Franken resigned due to sexual harassment allegations and previous Lt. Gov. Tina Smith was appointed to replace him.
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Fischbach filed lawsuits to maintain her role as president of the Minnesota Senate simultaneously with lieutenant governor. She resigned from the Senate when the Legislature adjourned and announced a partnership with Pawlenty shortly after.
Her current role as lieutenant governor falls along unusual circumstances and also party lines, she said, since Gov. Mark Dayton is a Democrat.
Johnson will face Democratic nominee Rep. Tim Walz in November.
Fischbach said her bid for lieutenant governor was less about the position and more about the partnership with Pawlenty, she said. As she looks to the future now, she said she’ll stay busy as the incumbent lieutenant governor until January.
Fischbach was the first female president of the Senate and said she’s encouraged to see the high numbers of women running for office during this election.
Though the rise in female candidates has been heavily attributed to Democrats running for office in the wake of the presidential election, Fischbach said she is proud to be a role model for young girls.
“It’s wonderful women are running,” she said. “One side or the other, it creates a really nice balance with women and men in there willing to represent their constituents. And I’m not going to say men can’t do it, but women may very well do a superior job.”
