Jason Lewis Considering Another Run, Possibly for Senate

Former Rep. Jason Lewis confirmed this week that he’s considering another run for office, this time possibly against Sen. Tina Smith.

Lewis told The Star Tribune that he won’t officially make a decision until early fall, but said “that’s plenty of time to run a vigorous campaign against a group of Democrats that would now make Hubert Humphrey blush.”

“I do think we’re at a critical moment in our country’s history, certainly in the modern era, where I in all sincerity am looking to save the country,” said Lewis, who’s also considering a run against Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN-02) for his old seat.

Lewis defeated Craig in 2016 for Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, but lost to her in 2018 after serving just one term. According to Lewis, the two might face off for a third time in 2020.

“A lot of people scoff at that sort of language, but I do think we would have a place that our parents wouldn’t recognize if we keep going down this road that some of these Democrats want to take us,” Lewis continued.

“Great getting the MN-02 gang back together at Union 32 in Eagan. Hey Dems, when you’re in [a] hole, quit digging,” Lewis tweeted on Tuesday.

Great getting the #mn02 gang back together at Union 32 in Eagan. Hey Dems, when you’re in hole, quit digging…😂 pic.twitter.com/6SpFftCuwO

— Jason Lewis (@LewisForMN) June 12, 2019

But in an interview with MPR, Lewis hinted that he might be leaning towards a Senate bid against Smith.

“I don’t have any inclination to go to Washington to keep a job and beat my head against the wall,” he told the outlet. “Where could you get the most done? Where could you have the most impact? There’s an argument for both sides. But certainly the Senate is becoming the last firewall to freedom, so that’s very important from my perspective.”

No matter where he ends up, Lewis said he’ll continue to stand by President Donald Trump’s agenda.

“You’re in for a penny, you’re in for a pound. I don’t think it pays to run away from a Trump presidency,” said the former congressman. “And I told people I wasn’t going to do it. And I didn’t do it. And I wouldn’t do it in the future. I happen to agree with much of it.”

As The Minnesota Sun reported in April, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has already started targeting Smith and other vulnerable swing-state Democrats. But it could end up being a crowded Republican field, since both State Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point) and 2018 Republican Attorney General candidate Doug Wardlow are considering a run.

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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].