Internal Poll Shows Trump, Lewis Statistically Tied

September 3rd, 2020

EAGAN, Minn. — U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis released the following statement after new internal polling shows Lewis and Senator Tina Smith in a statistical tie in race for United States Senate. The poll shows Smith garnering 43% and Lewis earning 41% with a margin of error of just over 4%. This two point deficit is a significant improvement for Lewis, who was down by 11 points in the same poll taken a little over three months ago. Today’s poll also shows President Donald Trump (45%) statistically tied with Joe Biden (48%).

“This latest polling is further proof of what I’ve been seeing on the ground for over a year now: Minnesota is a toss-up state—not just in the race for the White House, but in my race to defeat Senator Tina Smith. Minnesotans are increasingly disenfranchised from the radical Democrat Party, their refusal to condemn lawlessness, their bad trade deals, higher taxes, and their affinity for never- ending economic lockdowns. It’s been 18 years since we sent a Republican to the Senate, and 48 years since we gave our electoral votes to the Republican candidate for President. But the ‘times they are a changin’ and this poll shows Minnesotans are ready to make a change,” Lewis said.

“This poll mirrors recent public polling and comes on the heels of visits by the President and Vice President to the state, both of whom have enthusiastically endorsed my candidacy. Democrats’ decades-long grip on our state is weakening, and Minnesotans are rejecting the far-left agenda of Tina Smith and Joe Biden,” Lewis concluded.
 

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In Case You Missed It: National Media Puts Spotlight on Minnesota as Swing State this November—Democrats Losing Ground Supporting Radical Anti-Police Agenda

September 2nd, 2020

EAGAN, Minn. — In case you missed it, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, TheWashington Examiner, and more have all published stories in the past couple days on how Minnesota is in play this November as Democrats continue to push radical agendas that will harm Minnesota communities and families. U.S. Senate Candidate Jason Lewis has been a strong voice against the rioting, looting, and chaos in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

“Recent polling and national media attention confirm what President Trump and I have been saying from day one: Minnesota is in play. Democrats are now scrambling to try to keep their fragile, weakening grip on our state. As Minnesotans see the violence in our cities, calls to defund the police, and abandonment of small businesses, it’s clear that the far-left agenda from Senator Tina Smith and other Democrats won’t play in Minnesota. Voters are looking for real leadership, and that’s why they’ll be supporting President Trump and me,” said Lewis.

From the Washington Post, “Democrats in Minnesota have tracked a steady erosion in popular support for the Black Lives Matter movement and police overhauls since the early summer, said a Democrat familiar with the data, who attributed it to a backlash over protesters’ calls to “defund the police.” 

See full coverage below: 
 

The Washington Post: Biden adjusts strategy in Midwestern battlegrounds to blunt Trump’s ‘law and order’ focus

Washington Examiner: Trump campaign eyes Minnesota prize as Biden slips in polls

The Wall Street Journal: How Minnesota Became a 2020 Election Battleground

The Hill: Trump campaign ‘going all-in’ to win Minnesota

FiveThirtyEight: Why Minnesota Could Be The Next Midwestern State To Go Red

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Better Late Than Never: Lewis’ Met Council Reform Advances

September 1st, 2020

EAGAN, Minn. — Spurred on by Jason Lewis’ demands in Congress, Governor Tim Walz quietly announced first steps towards finally reforming the Metropolitan Council. Lewis’ successful first bill in the 115th reined in the unelected Council’s expansion agenda. His second bill, which would have required the Met Council to have an elected member in order to receive federal funding, stalled in the Senate, thanks to efforts by Council apologists like Tina Smith.

“Senator Tina Smith blocked my efforts in the 115^th Congress, but it is encouraging to finally see Governor Walz acquiesce to starting the process of reform I’ve been demanding for years, including as recently as Friday. As your next Senator, I’ll make sure it gets done.

The suburbs are under assault by Democrats, and metropolitan planning organizations like the Met Council are forcing their ‘new urbanist agenda’ on suburban residents. Governor Walz’s creation of an independent committee to evaluate the role of the organization’s unelected body is a step in the right direction though long overdue.

I promised to do something about it in Congress, and I did. Now I’m ready to finish the job that Tina Smith won’t—stop an unelected regional government with the power to tax from imposing their way of life on metro residents. Suburban planning should not be dictated far-left activists and I have consistently said no federal funding should be dispersed to the Met Council unless it includes elected officials.

I will continue fighting for the suburbs and fighting to rein in the Met Council in the United States Senate.”

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Democrat Iron Range Mayors Endorse Lewis

August 31st, 2020

EVELETH, Minn. — Following a roundtable discussion on Iron Range issues with Virginia Mayor Larry Cuffe, Eveleth Mayor Robert Vlaisavljevich, and Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich (who was interviewed on Fox News this morning), United States Senate candidate Jason Lewis released the following statement.

“I’ve been on the Iron Range countless times since launching our campaign a year ago and I’m proud to be back today chatting with outstanding leaders like these Mayors. I am humbled to have the support of Larry, Bob, and Andrea in my campaign to represent Minnesotans and the Iron Range in the United States Senate. It speaks volumes about how radical Democrats in D.C. and St. Paul have become when even lifelong Democrats here on the Iron Range are willing to stand up and endorse Republicans for federal offices,” Lewis said.

“Republicans like President Trump, Congressman Stauber, and me are 100% committed to protecting the Iron Range way of life. It’s a crime that we are sitting on the largest reserves of copper and nickel in the world, and DFL radicals like Betty McCollum and my opponent Senator Tina Smith won’t let them be safely mined. We need to get the Iron Range moving again and will do just that when I’m your next United States Senator,” Lewis concluded.

Today’s roundtable and statement comes just three days after Democratic mayors on the Iron Range issued an endorsement of President Trump and Vice President Pence at a “Workers for Trump” rally held by Vice President Pence in Duluth.

Following the roundtable, Lewis is making two more stops on the Iron Range today: touring Polymet this afternoon and hosting a joint rally with Congressman Pete Stauber in Hoyt Lakes this evening.

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Lewis Endorsed by Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association

August 27th, 2020

EAGAN, Minn. — U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis released the following statement announcing the endorsement of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. As the husband and son-in-law of former St. Paul police officers, I fully understand the inherent risks and pressures of law enforcement and the sacrifices that men and women in law enforcement make, which is one of the reasons I’ve been so vocal in supporting them. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for my opponent,” Lewis said.

“To Senator Tina Smith, the law enforcement community is nothing but a political punching bag. As she tries to curry favor with the violent mob, the anti-law enforcement climate she is feeding into has created a situation where it is nearly impossible for police officers to do their jobs. The net result of the current lack of support from public officials like Smith is quite simply less policing and higher levels of crime. Across the country we are seeing a wave of crime spikes, early retirements, and resignations because the support network for law enforcement is being dismantled. Just last night, we watched as Minneapolis erupted into flames yet again as looters and arsonists took over the city. This continued violence is unacceptable,” Lewis added.

Public order must be restored, and that starts with our elected officials unequivocally supporting law enforcement. I am proud to stand with the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and will be a fierce defender of law enforcement when I am in the Senate,” Lewis concluded.

“It is our hope that our endorsement will advance your candidacy and that you will be successful in your efforts to solidify a seat in the United States Senate,” the MPPOA, which represents 10,400 public safety professionals across the State of Minnesota and over 2,000 retired members, wrote in their endorsement letter.
 

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National Right to Life Endorses Jason Lewis for Senate

August 25th, 2020

EAGAN, Minn. — U.S. Senate candidate released the following statement announcing the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee.

“I am honored to have the National Right to Life Committee’s endorsement in our race for U.S. Senate. There are few issues that highlight the stark contrast between Senator Tina Smith and me more than abortion. As a former Planned Parenthood executive who made a fortune off of providing abortions, Senator Smith is as radical as it gets. She has fully embraced abortion on-demand up to and even after birth. In 2019, Senator Smith took to the Senate floor to call medical treatment for an infant that survives an abortion ‘inappropriate.’ Her open support of infanticide is reprehensible to say the least and does not reflect the values of Minnesotans. It is high time Minnesota has a pro-life Senator,” Lewis said.

National Right to Life, the nation’s oldest and largest pro-life organization, announced the endorsement today, highlighting Lewis’ “commitment to strengthening a culture of life throughout the nation and in the U.S. Senate.” This, the National Right to Life Committee says, is in contrast with Senator Tina Smith’s support of “a policy of abortion on demand which allows abortion for any reason” and “taxpayer funding of abortion.”

Lewis has also been endorsed by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Minnesota’s largest pro-life organization.

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Lewis Joined by Bob Kroll & Other Law Enforcement Leaders at “Back the Blue” Town Hall

August 24th, 2020

EAGAN, Minn. — Speaking from a “Back the Blue” town hall in Eagan, U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis blasted the Democrats’ abandonment of public order and the radical left’s push to defund the police. Nearly 100 law enforcement members (active and retired) and supporters attended the event. Special guest speakers included Minneapolis Police Federation President Bob Kroll, Law Enforcement Labor Services Executive Director Sean Gormley, and State Rep. Brian Johnson, who is a retired member of the law enforcement community.

“The law enforcement profession in America is under unrelenting and unprecedented attack. It is incumbent upon every public official to defend and support law enforcement. Calls to defund and abolish the police are contributing to an increasingly toxic culture in which our policemen and women are being vilified and targeted. Somebody needs to stand up and say enough is enough,” Lewis said.

“After the riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul, I toured over a dozen businesses, most of them minority owned. Not one person said they wanted to defund the police—they all wanted more police. Well you’re not going to get more police or restore law and order if you have elected officials like Senator Tina Smith who won’t back them. The first duty of government is to protect life, liberty and property, and yet the Democrats refuse to do it. If they can’t get this right, nothing else matters,” Lewis continued.

“If Democrats win this November, the violent mob will control our streets, emboldened by inflammatory, anti-law enforcement politicians like Senator Tina Smith. After days of looting and arson, Smith encouraged more ‘righteous protests.’ Shortly thereafter, she took to the Senate floor to say there is something ‘dangerously wrong with the role police play in our society.’ And she torpedoed common sense police reforms in the Senate,” Lewis concluded.

“The one thing Minneapolis officers regret and what bothers them most is that they weren’t allowed to stop those riots that were going on. They would have been able to do it had the politicians above them not restricted them from doing it. Let’s be clear about that,” Kroll said.

“There are 1,500 businesses gone and over half a billion dollars in damages, and that didn’t have to be. It could have been shut down if we had what Jason is talking about: law and order, and support from the top,” Kroll concluded.

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Lewis Challenges Smith to Series of Debates, “Kennedy-Goldwater Style”

August 22nd, 2020

MARSHALL, Minn. — Speaking from a field office ribbon cutting in Marshall, Lyon County as part of a four-day road trip through Greater Minnesota, U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis challenged U.S. Senator Tina Smith to a series of in-person debates across Minnesota in the coming months.

“Before his tragic assassination in 1963, Democratic President John F. Kennedy and his former colleague and friend who was the likely 1964 GOP Presidential nominee, Senator Barry Goldwater, reached an agreement to hold a series of debates around the county in the lead-up to the November 1964 Presidential election. It was agreed upon that the debates would have no moderator and would be a direct conversation with the American people.

In the spirit of two great leaders from two very different walks of life coming together to agree that partisanship was secondary to the American people’s need to hear from their would-be leaders, I hereby propose Senator Tina Smith and I conduct no fewer than five in-person Kennedy/Goldwater style debates between now and Election Day.

The debates will be open to the public with an equal number of tickets distributed to each campaign. I am proposing that no moderator be present. Surely a sitting Senator and former Congressman don’t need anyone dictating what our would-be constituents wish to hear about. My campaign representatives will be in touch with the Senator’s to discuss logistics and ensure the debates are conducted fairly and safely.”

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Lewis Blasts Democrats Continued Delay of Line 3 at Bemidji Town Hall

August 21th, 2020

BEMIDJI, Minn. — U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis released the following statement after holding a town hall in support of Enbridge Line 3 in Bemidji on Wednesday night.

“Democrats continue to show their complete disregard for Greater Minnesota with further delays of Enbridge Line 3. As Minnesotans fight to bounce back from the overreaching COVID lockdowns, now more than ever is the time for significant infrastructure projects. Not only would the $2.6 billion pipeline project create 8,600 jobs, it would also generate an additional $19 million in property tax revenue. This is something our communities in Greater Minnesota desperate need, and it is hard to imagine how anybody could oppose it. 

Additionally, this project doesn’t just benefit our economy—it also is crucial in protecting our environment by allowing the safe delivery of crude oil and energy. We must replace the 50-year-old corroded pipeline with a new, state of the art line—anything less than that is simply irresponsible.

The review and approvals process has been rigorous and thorough to say the least. This was the most in depth environmental impact statement ever filed, the Public Utilities Commission’s certificate of need passed twice 5-0, and North Dakota and Wisconsin have already approved the pipeline in their states. What the Walz Administration is doing now is nothing more than partisan obstructionism.

If Senator Tina Smith truly cared about the environment or the hardworking men and women in Greater Minnesota, she would enthusiastically support Line 3. Unfortunately, Tina Smith would rather hold jobs and our economy hostage in order to please her special interest donors. This senseless obstruction will stop when I am Senator! Our economy and our environment depend on it.”

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Walz Donors Contribute to Lewis?

Lewis Blasts Universal Mail-In Voting Proposals After Receiving Mail Intended for Gov. Tim Walz; Supports Absentee Voting

August 19th, 2020

EAGAN, Minn. — Holding up a stack of campaign mail for which Governor Tim Walz was the intended recipient, U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis blasted Democrat-led proposals for universal mail-in ballots this November.

“We need to follow statutory law as it pertains to voting in Minnesota. If you want an absentee ballot, you should request one, fill it out, and be confident it will reach its destination and be counted. But the universal mail-in ballot proposals being pushed by Democrats across the country would jeopardize that system.

Right now, the USPS is woefully incapable of handling universal mail-in ballot proposals being pushed by the Democrats. Just yesterday I received at my campaign’s P.O. Box, 73 campaign donations intended for Governor Tim Walz, who needless to say, has a different P.O. Box than me. Don’t worry Tim, we’re going to give your mail back to you, but this is the latest evidence that the post office cannot handle anything more than the current system of absentee voting. Between universal mail-in ballot proposals and other questionable practices which have now been legalized, such as ballot harvesting and removing the deadline on which ballots can be received, all of a sudden the integrity of our election here in Minnesota looks extremely questionable.

Democrats like Senator Tina Smith are fully aware the USPS is not up to the task, but they are deliberately trying to introduce chaos into this election—if not steal it outright—by already teeing up excuses for not accepting the outcome of the election. Between the Democrats’ calls for Socialism, anarchy in the streets, and now their attempts to muddy the waters of the election results, it’s clear the only thing that can and will stop the Democrats from turning Minnesota into a cold Venezuela is Donald Trump and Jason Lewis.” 

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