Former U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis, R-Minn., announced that he will challenge U.S. Sen. Tina Smith in 2020, the Star Tribune is reporting.
“Let the battle begin,” he said on Thursday.
The newspaper reported he called the Senate “the last firewall for freedom” in the face of liberals like U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and the other three members of what is called the progressive “squad” of House Democrats.
“I refuse to sit back on the sidelines and watch our state, country, and way of life continue to come under blistering attack from radical politicians like Ilhan Omar and her footsoldier Tina Smith,” Lewis said in a statement, according to Roll Call. “I’m going to fight back. That’s why today I am proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate.”
State Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said Lewis offers “the best chance we’ve had in decades” to win statewide.
He had served one term in the House and was defeated last November by Angie Craig, the Star Tribune noted.
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