Michelle Fischbach

Michelle Louise Helene Fischbach (née St. Martin; born November 3, 1965) is an American attorney and politician who is the United States Representative from Minnesota's 7th congressional district. The district, Minnesota's largest and most rural district, includes most of the western area of the state, including Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Morris, Thief River Falls, Willmar, Marshall, and Alexandria. A Republican, Fischbach previously served as the 49th lieutenant governor of Minnesota and as the first female president of the Minnesota Senate.

Michelle Fischbach
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 7th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byCollin Peterson
49th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
In office
January 2, 2018[lower-alpha 1] – January 7, 2019
GovernorMark Dayton
Preceded byTina Smith
Succeeded byPeggy Flanagan
10th and 12th President of the Minnesota Senate
In office
January 3, 2017 – May 25, 2018
Preceded bySandy Pappas
Succeeded byWarren Limmer (Acting)
In office
January 4, 2011 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byJim Metzen
Succeeded bySandy Pappas
Member of the Minnesota Senate
In office
February 12, 1996 – May 25, 2018
Preceded byJoe Bertram
Succeeded byJeff Howe
Constituency14th district (1996–2013)
13th district (2013–2018)
Personal details
Born
Michelle Louise Helene St. Martin

(1965-11-03) November 3, 1965
Woodbury, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Scott Fischbach
Children2
EducationSt. Cloud State University (BA)
William Mitchell College of Law (JD)
WebsiteHouse website

Early life, education and career

Fischbach grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota. After graduating from Woodbury High School, she attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph from 1984 to 1986; she later transferred to St. Cloud State University, where she graduated with a B.A. in political science and economics in 1989.[1] Fischbach earned her J.D. from William Mitchell School of Law in Saint Paul in 2011.[2]

In 1994, Fischbach became the first woman elected to the Paynesville City Council, where she served until she was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1996.[3]

Minnesota Senate

Fischbach was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1996 in a special election held after the resignation of DFL Senator Joe Bertram, who had recently pleaded guilty to shoplifting.[1] Fischbach was reelected months later in the 1996 general election, and in 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2012, and 2016.[4] She served as an assistant minority leader from 2001 to 2002 and from 2007 to 2008, and as a deputy minority leader from 2009 to 2010.[5] Fischbach also served as the chair of the Senate's higher education committee.[5]

In 2011, after an election in which Senate Republicans won a majority for the first time since party designation, Fischbach's colleagues elected her the first female president of the Minnesota Senate, a post she held until Republicans lost their majority in 2013.[6] After Republicans regained a majority following the 2016 election, Fischbach was again elected Senate president on January 3, 2017.[7]

Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (2018–2019)

Succession

Fischbach became the 49th lieutenant governor of Minnesota in January 2018 when Tina Smith resigned to accept an appointment to the United States Senate.[lower-alpha 2] DFL Governor Mark Dayton appointed Smith to replace Al Franken, who resigned over allegations of sexual misconduct.[9] Fischbach acknowledged having ascended to the role, but maintained she would remain in the Senate and called herself "acting lieutenant governor."[10]

Official portrait of Lt. Gov. Fischbach in 2018

Constitutional dispute

Fischbach said she intended to serve as lieutenant governor while retaining her Senate seat. The constitutionality of holding two offices at once became a question.[11][12] Fischbach noted a memo from the Senate's nonpartisan counsel, which cited an 1898 Minnesota Supreme Court decision as legal precedent for her to hold both offices.[13] She also said the lieutenant governor's duties are largely ceremonial and she would have no problem fulfilling the roles of both offices.[14] She declined the lieutenant governor's salary, opting to receive only the pay of a state senator.[15] An advisory opinion from Attorney General Lori Swanson disputed the legality of Fischbach's holding both offices at once, citing a 1972 constitutional amendment and other historical precedents.[16][17][lower-alpha 3]

The potential outcomes were seen as having potentially significant ramifications on Minnesota politics, as Republicans held only a two-vote majority in the state senate.[19] In December 2017, to avoid a potential tie should Fischbach resign her senate seat, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and House Speaker Kurt Daudt sent Dayton a letter requesting a special legislative session to temporarily elect a Democratic president of the senate.[19][20] Dayton and legislative Democrats immediately rejected the idea, with Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk indicating he would file a lawsuit to attempt to force Fischbach out of the Senate should she attempt to serve in both offices, saying the Senate's "balance of power [...] will be up for grabs."[21][22]

In January 2018, a constituent and local DFL activist filed suit against Fischbach, asking a Ramsey County District Court judge to remove her from the state senate.[23] In February 2018, a judge dismissed the suit, ruling it had been prematurely filed.[24]

On May 25, 2018, Fischbach resigned from the Senate and was sworn in as lieutenant governor.[25]

Campaign

In May 2018, former Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty announced Fischbach as his running mate in his bid for a third term.[26] Pawlenty and Fischbach were defeated in the Republican primary by Jeff Johnson and Donna Bergstrom.[27]

Fischbach was succeeded as lieutenant governor by Democrat Peggy Flanagan, running mate of Tim Walz, who was sworn in on January 7, 2019.[28]

U.S. House of Representatives

2020
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 7

On September 3, 2019, Fischbach announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination to challenge 30-year incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson in Minnesota's 7th congressional district.[29] She won the five-way Republican primary election.[30] Her home in Paynesville is in the far southern portion of the congressional district. Despite Peterson's incumbency, the 7th had been trending Republican for some time. The Republican presidential candidate had carried the district by double-digit margins in three of the last five elections. This included 2016, when Donald Trump carried it with 62 percent of the vote, his best showing in Minnesota and one of Trump's best performances in a district held by a Democrat.

During her campaign, Fischbach pledged to back Trump on trade, making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, workforce education, and additional relief for rural and agricultural businesses affected by COVID-19.[31][32] Her campaign emphasized her support for farmers and the Second Amendment, opposition to abortion, and support for strengthening the U.S. border.[33][34]

Fischbach defeated Peterson by 49,226 votes, the largest margin of any Republican who defeated an incumbent Democrat in 2020.[35]

Tenure

On January 7, 2021, Fishbach was one of 139 representatives to object to the certification of electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania in the 2020 US presidential election, citing allegations of irregularities and voter fraud.[36] On January 13, 2021, she voted against the second impeachment of Trump.[37]

Committee assignments[38]

Personal life

Fischbach is Roman Catholic.[5] She met her husband, Scott, while working on a campaign for former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz. They started dating while she was attending St. Cloud State University. They eventually moved to Paynesville, south of St. Cloud, where they still live.[14] Fischbach's husband has served as executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life since 2001.[40] The couple has two grown children and several grandchildren.[41]

Electoral history

2020
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 7
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michelle Fischbach 26,359 58.8%
Republican Dave Hughes 9,948 22.2%
Republican Noel Collis 6,747 15.1%
Republican William Louwagie 989 2.2%
Republican Jayesun Sherman 757 1.7%
Total votes 44,800 100.0%
Minnesota's 7th congressional district, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michelle Fischbach 188,994 53.8%
Democratic (DFL) Collin Peterson (incumbent) 139,071 39.6%
Total votes 351,227 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)

See also

Notes
  1. Took oath of office on May 25, 2018.
  2. The Minnesota Constitution provides "The last elected presiding officer of the senate shall become lieutenant governor in case a vacancy occurs in that office."[8]
  3. The Minnesota Constitution specifies "No senator or representative shall hold any other office under the authority of the United States or the state of Minnesota, except that of postmaster or of notary public."[18]

    References
    1. Bierschbach, Briana (December 20, 2017). "'I never asked for it': Meet the lawmaker in the middle of Minnesota's lieutenant governor mess". MinnPost. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
    2. "Elected and Appointed Officials in Minnesota – Mitchell Hamline Alumni – Mitchell Hamline School of Law". mitchellhamline.edu. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
    3. Connors, Molly (November 12, 1996). "Fischbach beats Schurman, keeps Senate seat". Paynesville Press. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
    4. Sommerhauser, Mark (November 7, 2012). "Fischbach re-elected to 7th term in Senate 13". St. Cloud Times. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012.
    5. "Fischbach, Michelle L". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Minnesota Legislature.
    6. Pugmire, Tim (November 22, 2010). "Abortion opponent promises to stick to job description in new gig as Senate president". Minnesota Public Radio News. St. Paul, Minnesota. Republican Sen. Michelle Fischbach of Paynesville will be the first woman in state history to preside as president of the Senate.
    7. Pugmire, Tim (November 10, 2016). "Gazelka picked as new GOP state Senate leader". Minnesota Public Radio News. St. Paul, Minnesota. Senate Republicans also announced the selection of Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, as Senate president.
    8. "Minnesota Constitution, Article V, § 5 (Succession to offices of governor and lieutenant governor.)". Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Legislature.
    9. Bakst, Brian; Pugmire, Tim (December 13, 2017). "Smith to take Franken's Senate seat, run in 2018". Minnesota Public Radio. Minnesota's succession plan calls for the state Senate president to become Lieutenant Governor, so as Smith moves to the U.S. Senate, state Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, will move into Smith's position.
    10. Orrick, Dave (January 3, 2018). "State Sen. Fischbach calling herself 'acting' lieutenant governor, declines salary". St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. Fischbach hedged her new title, calling herself "acting lieutenant governor"—a phrase that does not appear anywhere in the Minnesota Constitution.
    11. Pugmire, Tim (December 13, 2017). "Can she do that? New MN lieutenant gov. wants to keep Senate seat, too". Minnesota Public Radio News. St. Paul, Minnesota.
    12. "Unclear if Fischbach can keep Senate seat as Lt. Governor". KMSP-TV. Eden Prairie, Minnesota. December 13, 2017.
    13. Orrick, Dave (December 15, 2017). "8 fun facts about the 1898 Supreme Court case that could decide the balance of power in the Minnesota Senate". St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota.
    14. Van Berkel, Jessie (January 2, 2018). "Republican Fischbach prepares for unusual partnership as Gov. Dayton's lieutenant". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    15. Coolican, J. Patrick (January 4, 2018). "Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach will decline pay, continue in Minn. Senate; lawsuit likely". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
    16. Bakst, Brian (December 21, 2017). "Can lieutenant gov. keep Senate seat? AG's view sets stage for suit". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
    17. Orrick, Dave (December 21, 2017). "GOP Senate leader can't be lieutenant governor, too, MN attorney general says". St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota.
    18. "Minnesota Constitution Art. IV, § 5 (Restriction on holding office.)". Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Legislature.
    19. Potter, Kyle (January 1, 2018). "As Smith heads to DC, questions linger over her replacement". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    20. Raghavendran, Beena (December 22, 2017). "Minnesota GOP legislative leaders call for special session". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
    21. Potter, Kyle (December 28, 2017). "Senate's top Democrat rules out special session on lieutenant governor". St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
    22. Bierschbach, Briana (December 13, 2017). "The constitutional mess created by Tina Smith's appointment". MinnPost. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
    23. Orrick, Dave (January 12, 2018). "Lawsuit asks judge to kick Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach out of her MN Senate seat". St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
    24. Van Berkel, Jessie (February 12, 2018). "Ramsey County judge dismisses lawsuit against Fischbach over Senate seat, but fight likely not over". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
    25. Golden, Erin; Coolican, J. Patrick (May 25, 2018). "Fischbach resigns from state Senate, is sworn in as lieutenant governor". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
    26. Coolican, J. Patrick (May 31, 2018). "Tim Pawlenty picks Michelle Fischbach as running mate". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
    27. Bierschbach, Briana; Bakst, Brian (August 14, 2018). "Walz and Johnson win Minnesota governor primary, will face off in November". Minnesota Public Radio.
    28. Frost, Evan; Staff, MPR News. "Photos: The Walz Administration takes oath of office". www.mprnews.org. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
    29. Pugmire, Tim (September 2, 2019). "Michelle Fischbach announces congressional challenge to Collin Peterson". MPR News.
    30. "Michelle Fischbach wins 7th District Republican primary". FOX 9. August 11, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
    31. Jones, Jeremy (September 23, 2020). "Michelle Fischbach talks economy, agriculture and more during campaign stop in Glencoe". Crow River Media. Hutchinson Leader. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
    32. Bakst, Brian (September 3, 2019). "Fischbach says she'll back Trump on trade, other issues". MPR News.
    33. Hall, Madison (September 4, 2020). "Rep. Collin Peterson faces a tough reelection fight in Minnesota's 7th Congressional District". Business Insider. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
    34. Orenstein, Walker (September 25, 2020). "National Democrats are going after GOP candidate Michelle Fischbach for something Minnesota Democrats have long championed". MinnPost. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
    35. "Republican Michelle Fischbach wins election to U.S. House in Minnesota's 7th Congressional District, beating incumbent Rep. Collin Peterson". AP NEWS. November 4, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
    36. Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (January 7, 2021). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
    37. Condon, Patrick. "Minnesota delegation splits by party on vote to impeach Trump". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
    38. "Rep. Fischbach Appointed to Ag, Judiciary, Rules Committees". fischbach.house.gov. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
    39. "Thompson Announces Republican Agriculture Subcommittee Leadership for 117th Congress". Committee On Agriculture Republicans. February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
    40. Jacobson, Michael (June 13, 2001). "Scott Fischbach to head MCCL". Paynesville Press. Paynesville, Minnesota. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
    41. "Project Vote Smart – Senator Michelle L. Fischbach – Biography". Votesmart.org. Retrieved September 14, 2011.

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    Minnesota Senate
    Preceded by
    Joe Bertram    		 Member of the Minnesota Senate
    from the 14th district
    1996–2013    		 Succeeded by
    John Pederson
    Preceded by
    Joseph Gimse    		 Member of the Minnesota Senate
    from the 13th district
    2013–2018    		 Succeeded by
    Jeff Howe
    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Jim Metzen    		 President of the Minnesota Senate
    2011–2013    		 Succeeded by
    Sandy Pappas
    Preceded by
    Sandy Pappas    		 President of the Minnesota Senate
    2017–2018    		 Succeeded by
    Warren Limmer
    Acting
    Preceded by
    Tina Smith    		 Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
    2018–2019    		 Succeeded by
    Peggy Flanagan
    U.S. House of Representatives
    Preceded by
    Collin Peterson    		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
    from Minnesota's 7th congressional district
    2021-present    		 Incumbent
    U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
    Preceded by
    Randy Feenstra    		 United States Representatives by seniority
    389th    		 Succeeded by
    Scott L. Fitzgerald
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