Minnesota District 7 Election Results: Fischbach Projected Winner

MOORHEAD, MN — Michelle Fischbach is the projected winner of the Republican primary in Minnesota's seventh congressional district. Fischbach is set to take on longtime Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota.

Fischbach's last political role was serving as lieutenant governor. She replaced Sen. Tina Smith as the lieutenant governor when Smith was appointed to the United States Senate.

Preliminary vote totals:

• William Louwagie: 664
• Jayesun Israel Sherman: 440
• Noel Collis: 3,443
• Dave Hughes: 5,231
• Michelle Fischbach: 13,961

Fischbach had the wind at her back heading into Tuesday's primary. Not only did she have the endorsement of the local GOP, she's also endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Trump won the seventh congressional district in 2016 by a landslide. However, the district also reelected Collin Peterson, a Democrat who has represented the district since 1991.

Republicans are hoping to flip the district their way in 2020.

Fischbach overcame four other candidates Tuesday. However, even before the primary, her campaign had already begun attacking her would-be opponent in the general election and linking him to liberal Democrats.

"Washington, D.C. PACs and special interest groups are desperately trying to send Peterson back for another term so he can vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker again," said David FitzSimmons, Fischbach’s campaign manager, in a recent release