Republican Dave Hughes, a retired Air Force Major, announced this week that he will challenge Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN-07) in 2020 for Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District seat.
“Congress is failing our nation with irresponsible overspending that saddles the American people with a crushing national debt that threatens the American dream for our children and generations to come,” Hughes said in a press release announcing his candidacy. “We need more battle-tested veterans and principled leaders to take power back from the federal government and return it to the people.”
Hughes challenged Peterson for the first time in the 2018 midterms and narrowly lost by five percentage points. His opponent has represented the Seventh District since 1991 and was a member of the Minnesota Senate for ten years prior to his election to Congress.
“Collin Peterson is a prime example of what’s wrong with the DC swamp,” Hughes said. “Peterson is a career politician who’s been in office for 40 years.”
Peterson was appointed chair of the House Agriculture Committee at the beginning of his most recent term, and represents an agricultural district. Hughes, however, said that “agriculture is in a death spiral, despite Peterson’s 30 years of opportunity to implement sound policy.”
“During Collin’s long tenure, despite his ostensible clout, Minnesota has lost most of its dairies, corn prices have stagnated, family farms have gone under, and everyone in western Minnesota knows a farmer who’s committed suicide,” Hughes declared. “This crisis must be turned around.”
Peterson, who’s pro-life, is among the more moderate Democrats in the House and has occasionally hinted at supporting President Donald Trump’s border wall. Hughes criticized Peterson for supporting legislation that allows “a pathway to U.S. citizenship for illegal aliens” and voting “in lockstep with Representatives Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib.”
“It is time western Minnesota be represented by a strong conservative who will put America first and support President Trump,” he continued.
Hughes received Trump’s endorsement via Twitter during his 2018 bid for Congress.
“He will help us accomplish our America first policies, is strong on crime, the border, our 2nd Amendment, trade, military, and vets. Running against Pelosi liberal puppet Peterson,” Trump said of Hughes.
Dave Hughes is running for Congress in the Great State of Minnesota. He will help us accomplish our America First policies, is strong on Crime, the Border, our 2nd Amendmen, Trade, Military and Vets. Running against Pelosi Liberal Puppet Petterson. Dave has my Total Endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2018
“I’ll be a champion for conservative policies to secure our southern border and solve our present humanitarian crisis, rein in federal spending, reduce the debt, remove government bureaucrats from our health care decisions, defend our 2nd Amendment rights, be a strong advocate for the pro-life movement, protect our family farms and ranches, and allow free markets to thrive,” Hughes concluded his announcement.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo”Dave Hughes” by Dave Hughes.
[…] Republican Dave Hughes, who narrowly lost to Peterson in 2018, has also announced that he will run for the seat, as The Minnesota Sun reported. […]
[…] Republican Dave Hughes, who narrowly lost to Peterson in 2018, has also announced that he will run for the seat, as The Minnesota Sun reported. […]