Minnesotans Will Likely Have Their 1st Native American Lt. Gov.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota voters decided last night in the statewide primary that Republican Jeff Johnson and Democrat Tim Walz will represent the two major parties this November in the Minnesota state governor's race.
Both Walz and Johnson have a running mate that could be Minnesota's first Native American lieutenant governor.
While both embrace this historic moment, Republican Donna Bergstrom and Democratic State Representative Peggy Flanagan don't hesitate to point out their differences. They say it's a sisterhood and both are cheering for each other, but Bergstrom and Flanagan have different views on what direction is best for Minnesota.
Bergstrom is a new comer to state politics. Her mother was born and raised on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.
"We really look to people filling positions because of their capabilities," said Bergstrom. "We really don't look at somebody because of their identity."
Rep. Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, was the first Native woman to address the Democratic National Convention. Flanagan says the differences between her and Bergstrom go beyond Minnesota politics.
"I also think that there are differences for what has come out of the Trump administration," said Flanagan. "What has come out of the mouth of Donald Trump himself as it related to name calling on Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the way that he has treated our Native American veterans."
Bergstrom says she is honored to have the president's support, and believes the Republican party's agenda lines up with what's important to the Native community.