Who is running for Senate in Minnesota's Republican primary?
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Nine candidates are running for the U.S. Senate in the Republican primary race in Minnesota. They include Bob Carney Jr., Ahmad R. (Raafat) Hassan, Cynthia Gail, Joyce Lacey, Patrick Munro, Adam Schwarze, Michele Tafoya, Tom Weiler and Royce White.
Bob Carney Jr.
As of publishing, this candidate has not responded and MPR News could not find any information about the candidate.
Ahmad R. (Raafat) Hassan
Why are you running?
“I am running because America needs leadership that puts people first. I came to this country as an immigrant and built a life through hard work and dedication. I believe every American deserves the same opportunity. I want to bring common sense, real world experience, and genuine commitment to serving the people of Minnesota.”
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What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“My career spans real estate, law, small business ownership, and food service management. I have worked alongside veterans, owned and operated multiple businesses, and served my community in various capacities. These experiences gave me a deep understanding of what working Americans face every day and what strong, accountable leadership looks like.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“The economy, crime, immigration, healthcare, and energy are the issues Minnesotans care most about. Families are struggling with rising costs and concerns about public safety. I am committed to strengthening our economy, supporting law enforcement, securing our borders, caring for our veterans and elderly, and pursuing American energy independence.”
Cynthia Gail
Why are you running?
“Because I love my students. They need me and I need them. Together we can make a difference. My best phrases own your behavior. When the going gets tough repeat after me. ‘I got this Ms. Gail’ and get the job done. Jesus said, in Matthew 11:30 ‘my yoke is easy and my burden is light’. I feel led by God to this calling.”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“overcome adversity.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“Health care because families can’t afford it. The food we eat and why we don’t keep track of lactose intolerance and celiac disease. What is the cause? Is it on the rise? Top issues - Taxes and misrepresentation, the news media can help Minnesota. Drugs and how they are affecting our children. AI and its abuse of privacy and the distortion of children. Why ADHD is so out of control? What it will take to get students back on track. Create a mentality of comradeship with all 19-21 with training to serve our country. Physical, mental, and self defense training along with life skills - respect our country and the constitution. Never giving up your first and second amendment rights.”
Joyce Lacey
Why are you running?
“My campaign centers on advocating for marginalized voices, promoting justice and security for all individuals and implementing systemic changes to ensure stability. This involves acknowledging past sacrifices, prioritizing comprehensive reforms and empowering otherwise marginalized communities to build a more fair and secure future for generations to come. My mission is to recognize those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped and create reforms and new systems to secure our future. We must protect our most vulnerable. I hope to pass bills to stop human trafficking and exploitation. We must uphold the Constitution!”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“I have spent most of my life advocating for human rights. In addition, I have spent my life volunteering to help raise funds & awareness for worthy causes, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, diabetes & alzheimer's as family & friends experienced these. When I learned that over 1.3 million adults were in guardianships & conservatorships involving over fifty billion dollars in assets, after my mother was imprisoned by one, I knew I had to speak for those whose voices were silenced. Forty hours of training to be awarded the title ‘Professional Guardian’! Clearly, it's ridiculous! No human should be forced into an Involuntary, abusive, for-profit, fraudulent guardianship & conservatorship to be stripped of their property, life-savings & rights!”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“The top issues I am discussing with voters is putting an end to the fraud in Minnesota. Making sure that our infrastructure is addressed and that education is a priority. Concerns that our inalienable rights, noted in the Declaration of Independence, are being gradually terminated under color of law worries many voters. This was especially clear when COVID patients were placed in long term care facilities and consequently the residents came down with COVID and, rather take them in to the ER, they were placed on Hospice with no approval by family. They were not terminal and should never have been placed on Hospice. 4,070 residents died. Families were not even allowed to say their final goodbyes, due to protocol!”
Patrick Munro
As of publishing, this candidate has not responded. Based on Munro’s campaign website, MPR News found these responses.
Why are you running?
According to the candidate's website: “The purpose of my service to Minnesota as its US Senator will be to protect and promote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I will fight for a federal government that works for everyone regardless of economic status, or ethnicity. I will fight to bring discomfort to the elite, and I will fight for the American dream for all Minnesotans and all Americans.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
According to the candidate’s website, the topics Munro focuses on include, “Aggressively fight for Minnesota Manufacturers. Aggressively fight for Minnesota Farmers. Border Security. Fiscal Responsibility/Balanced Budget Amendment. Energy Security Through Domestic Production. American's First Immigration Reform. Made In America. Economic Security For All Minnesotans. Peace Through Strength. Back the Blue 24/7 Eight Days a Week. Term Limits. Protect Women's Athletics and Title IX. Protect Life- All Life Is Sacred. Conception to Old Age. Balanced Trade. Fight Globalism. School Choice. Constitutional Carry/Interstate Reciprocity."
Adam Schwarze
Why are you running?
“Minnesota is in crisis. A billion dollars stolen in a childcare fraud scandal. A lieutenant governor who watched it all happen and now wants a promotion. I’m running because someone has to fight back and I’ve spent my entire adult life running toward the fight, not standing on the sidelines. I signed up for the Marines on my 18th birthday after 9/11 because I believed in the promise of America. I still do. Minnesota families deserve a senator who will cut spending, secure the border, hold corrupt politicians accountable, and never apologize for conservative values. I’m not a career politician. I’m a warrior. And that’s exactly what this moment requires.”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“I was born in St. Paul, adopted, and so fortunate my biological mother chose life. I was raised in Bloomington, and learned everything I needed to know about leadership on a hockey rink. I joined the Marines at 18, became a Navy SEAL, and deployed nine times to over 70 countries. I commanded a Crisis Alert Force in the Middle East. I’ve been in combat. I know what it means to lead under pressure, make hard decisions, and be accountable for the mission. I came home, watched Minnesota burn all I saw was politicians make excuses and pointed fingers, I’d had enough. My entire career was built on one principle: mission first, no excuses. DC desperately needs more of that.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“Three things come up everywhere I go. First one is obvious, it is affordability. Families are getting crushed by taxes and the cost of living while politicians in St. Paul pat themselves on the back. The second one though is accountability. We look no further than our state, a billion dollars disappeared into fraudulent childcare schemes and nobody went to prison. Minnesotans want answers. Lastly, security — securing the border, enforcing immigration law, and making sure our streets are safe. These aren’t abstract policy debates. They’re kitchen table conversations happening in every county I’ve visited. Hard-working families aren’t asking for much They just want to live their lives and feel safe in their communities. That’s what I’m fighting for.”
Michele Tafoya
As of publishing, this candidate has not responded. Based on Tafoya’s campaign website, MPR News found these responses.
Why are you running?
According to the candidate's website: “The status quo politicians let criminals steal billions of dollars of Minnesota taxpayers’ hard-earned money. They let fraudsters rob us blind rather than ask basic questions that might have seemed politically incorrect. We need to clean up our state and lead the way toward a nationwide anti-fraud agenda.”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
According to the candidate’s website: “Michele Tafoya’s nearly three decades as a national sports broadcaster shaped her approach to leadership and public service. As a four-time Emmy Award-winning NFL sideline reporter, she spent years asking tough questions, holding people accountable, and connecting with Americans across the country. After retiring from NBC’s Sunday Night Football following Super Bowl LVI, she felt called to bring that same commitment to accountability and integrity into public life. She says her experiences in sports media, along with her concerns about Minnesota’s political leadership and recent scandals, motivated her to seek office and work toward what she believes is stronger, more principled leadership for the state.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
According to the candidate’s website: "Any immigrant who is a guest in our country and gets convicted of fraud must be deported. As our Senator, Michele will cosponsor and lead the Deporting Fraudsters Act with Senators Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and John Cornyn. Stop treating fraud as a second-class crime. As our Senator, Michele will fight for tough new mandatory minimum sentences that put fraudsters in federal prison and keep them there. Make state leaders do their job. As our Senator, Michele will push to strip federal funding from any state that refuses to implement anti-fraud controls or follow basic audit and recovery practices."
Tom Weiler
Why are you running?
“To solve problems that improves your life and bring Minnesotans together. Every Minnesotan I have met on the campaign trail agrees on two things: • We have problems in Minnesota • No politician wants to roll up their sleeves and tackle the issues. I will. I will leverage 25 years of real-world, relevant experience in national security, operating & leading submarines, public & foreign policy, budgeting, engineering, critical infrastructure, and nuclear power operations to solve problems, make life more affordable for Minnesotans, and torpedo the do-nothing status quo in our United States Senate. The majority of my solutions involve fixing/shrinking the government, so the governments in St Paul and D.C. focus on you, the Minnesotans, and not on the beuacracy.”
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
“All of my life and professional experiences have led me to this point, even though this was never the plan. My plan was to be a leader in the United States Submarine Force at this point, however, that plan got derailed during, what I thought, was a routine appointment at Walter Reed Medical Center turned into a diagnosis of Early Onset Parkinsons Disease. Parkinsons Disease prematurely ended my service in the Navy, but I truly believe when one door shuts, another opens. Along with experiences discussed above, the leadership and moral standards forged by leading men and women at sea will enable me to build support and pass legislation that improves the lives of Minnesotans and all Americans.”
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
“First, listen to what issues people have. The 3 issues that appear top of mind for Minnesotans are affordability, fraud, and the growing feeling of division between Minnesotans. Solutions: • Minnesotan’s life will become more affordable by eliminating fraud, less government waste, responsible budgeting by elected politicians, and a growing economy producing more, higher paying jobs o Fraud – accountability, jail time, investigate at the speed of relevancy to create a deterrent effect o Waste & Budgeting – No Budget, No Fundraising Bill o Growing Economy & Better Jobs – Competitive state taxes, mine the valuable resources in our northern ranges, & reduce government regulations on agriculture. • Eliminate Gerrymandering with my “Strikeout Gerrymandering Bill” Elect Senators of Character, Characters.”
Royce White
As of publishing, this candidate has not responded. Based on White’s campaign website, MPR News found this response.
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
According to the candidate's website, his top issues are "Border, Debt, Forever Wars."
