Republican Michelle Fischbach Flips 7th Congressional District, Defeating Collin Peterson
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Republican challenger Michelle Fischbach is projected to have ended Rep. Collin Peterson's three-decade career representing the 7th Congressional District.
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, Fischbach led Peterson by nearly 14 points. With all precincts reporting, Fischbach captured almost 54% of the vote while Peterson amassed just under 40%.
WEB EXTRA: Click here for full election results.
Fischbach, a former lieutenant governor, told WCCO This Morning on Wednesday that voters in the large western Minnesota district wanted a Republican in Washington to represent their conservative values.
When asked about moving forward following a bitter campaign season, Fischbach said that the district will be united. "We will continue to move forward," she said, adding: "I will be a strong representative for everyone in the district."
Peterson released a statement Wednesday saying his campaign was no match for the flood of outside money and the fever partisan politics.
"We ran a strong and positive campaign, but with the president winning this district by 30 points again, and the millions in outside money that was spent to attack me, the partisan tilt of this district was just too much to overcome," he said.
Peterson also thanked the people of the 7th District for their support over the years he spent representing them in Washington.
In the 2016 election, Trump carried the 7th District by more than 30 points, yet Peterson beat a Republican challenger. And he did it again in 2018.
Peterson was first elected in 1990. He has served as chair of the House Agricultural Committee, which has played an important factor for Minnesota farmers over the years.
During the campaign season, Fischbach made her appeal to Trump supporters who sought to make Peterson part of the past.
For farmers in the 7th District, trade is one of the top issues, particularly when it comes to China. Fischbach has supported the president's tariffs on China while Peterson says the tariffs haven't worked, and the U.S. should be working with allies to put pressure on China.
Peterson and Fischbach have both expressed disapproval over state executive orders aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19.