U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., speaks at the Iowa State Education Association Legislative Conference in West Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 18, 2020. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original
(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., notched her party’s nomination in the race to replace Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday. Klobuchar’s Republican competitor is yet to be determined at the time of publication.
Multiple media organizations called the Democratic primary for Klobuchar shortly before 8:30 p.m. central time. She had 90% of the vote with 11% counted.
Klobuchar joined the race after Walz dropped out in January after intense scrutiny following reports of fraud in federal benefit programs across the state. She has spent her campaign distancing herself from Walz’ policies.
Klobuchar announced significant anti-fraud efforts and said she would conduct “top-to-bottom” inspections of federal programs in Minnesota.
“We want to make sure we’re taking care of the taxpayers’ money, that we are spending that money wisely on things that people need and making things as efficient as possible,” Klobuchar said.
Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth led the Republican ticket with 46.3% over former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, with 30.8% of the vote with 11% counted.
Demuth also campaigned on cracking down on fraud in Minnesota. Her fraud plan would designate Ryan Wilson, her lieutenant governor, to head oversight of spending in the state’s executive agencies as his main priority.
Demuth also proposed centralizing all services in a single, state-run agency to enhance coordination and collaboration between federal and state partners.
“Eligibility determination is a burden that we put on our counties that often ends up as an unfunded mandate,” Demuth said. “We can achieve cost savings through centralization and modernization with better compliance and oversight.”
She also promised to sign a bill that would create an Office of the Inspector General in Minnesota to oversee federal agencies and welfare programs. Similarly to Klobuchar, Demuth said she would increase the number of unannounced inspections where federal funds are received.
Mike Lindell, who stepped down from his position as CEO of MyPillow to run for governor, has also called for independent audits of state agencies and businesses that receive federal funds.
Lindell has touted his record as a successful businessman and promised greater economic returns for the people of Minnesota. If elected, he would push for expanded trade and technical skills education to support the growing workforce.
Trump endorsed Lindell in the race for governor. He said the former CEO would support his immigration agenda and fight for election security, two flashpoint issues of Trump’s administration.
If elected, Klobuchar said she would create a database that blacklists individuals found guilty of fraud from receiving federal funds in other programs. She also said her administration would require more in person visits to businesses receiving federal funds.
“When it comes to running our state, I believe we need discipline, growth and accountability,” Klobuchar said.
Klobuchar is running alongside Ben Schierer, a businessman and the former mayor of Fergus Falls. Lindell is running alongside Phillip Parish, a former Republican candidate for governor who dropped out to run with Lindell.
Klobuchar has a massive fundraising advantage over Lindell with more than $7 million raised since she announced her candidacy in January. Demuth trailed behind with $400,000, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office. Lindell trailed behind with $352,000, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.
