Report: Doug Wardlow Considering Running Against Tina Smith in 2020

Doug Wardlow, the Minnesota Republican Party’s 2018 nominee for attorney general, is reportedly considering a run against Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) in 2020.

The National Journal claims a “Republican source with knowledge” said Wardlow is being encouraged to run for the seat by party officials and activists.

Wardlow lost his 2018 race against Attorney General Keith Ellison, but only by four points—a closer margin than any other Republican running for statewide office. Ellison’s campaign, however, was nearly derailed by domestic-abuse allegations leveled against the Democrat.

The anonymous source also pointed out that Wardlow outperformed President Donald Trump’s numbers in the Twin Cities area and Rochester, and that he managed to raise more than $1 million during his campaign.

Smith, who was appointed by former Gov. Mark Dayton to fill in for Al Franken, defeated State Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point) with 53 percent of the vote, compared to Housley’s 42 percent. But Smith will be up again for reelection in 2020, since the 2018 race was a special election called for the remaining two years of Franken’s six-year term.

A look at Wardlow’s Twitter feed from the last several weeks shows that he’s had his eye on Smith. In late February, for instance, he criticized Smith for voting against a bill that would protect babies who survive botched abortions.

“Former Planned Parenthood executive turned Senator Tina Smith voted in support of infanticide this week. Minnesotans should be outraged and demand better from our Senator. Remember, Tina Smith will be on the ballot again in 2020, it’s time to take a stand,” he said.

Former Planned Parenthood Executive turned Senator Tina Smith voted in support of infanticide this week. Minnesotans should be outraged and demand better from our Senator. Remember, @TinaSmithMN will be on the ballot again in 2020, its time to take a stand! #MNSen pic.twitter.com/BVYcICRFID

— Doug Wardlow (@doug_wardlow) February 27, 2019

More recently, he went after Smith for voting “present” on the Green New Deal, which he said “also describes her career in Congress.”

Present. That not only describes Senator Smith's vote on the New Green Deal, it also describes her career in Congress. The deal will cost 93 trillion dollars, $600,000 per family. Tina Smith is not fighting for MN, she's fighting for her socialism. Let’s replace her in 2020. https://t.co/vCJlUbCvky

— Doug Wardlow (@doug_wardlow) March 27, 2019

“The deal will cost 93 trillion dollars, $600,000 per family. Tina Smith is not fighting for Minnesota, she’s fighting for her socialism,” he added. “Let’s replace her in 2020.”

“After two years of false rhetoric and tens of millions of wasted taxpayer dollars, the Russian collusion witch-hunt has come to an end. Senator Tina Smith and the Democrats have failed in their attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election,” Wardlow said in another tweet. “Minnesota deserves better.”

After two years of false rhetoric and tens of millions of wasted taxpayer dollars, the Russian collusion witch-hunt has come to an end. Senator @TinaSmithMN and the Democrats have failed in their attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election. Minnesota deserves better.

— Doug Wardlow (@doug_wardlow) March 25, 2019

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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 “Doug Wardlow” by Doug Wardlow.