Former Fergus Falls Mayor Schierer Elected to Lt. Governor’s Office

Lt. Governor-Elect Ben Schierer and Governor-Elect Amy Klobuchar. (Ben Schierer for Minnesota Facebook page)

St. Paul, MN – On Tuesday night, Senator Amy Klobuchar and former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer were elected to be the next Governor and Lt. Governor of Minnesota.

Klobuchar is the first woman to be elected Governor in the state. Schierer is the first person from Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District elected statewide in more than 50 years.

In a statement on Facebook last night, Schierer said, “Thank you, Minnesota! It’s been an honor to run alongside our next Governor Amy Klobuchar and to earn your trust tonight. Now, we’re ready to move our state forward and get to work for each and every one of you.”

Schierer also thanked his wife and kids for their love and support.

In other statewide election results, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has defeated Republican Michele Tafoya to win the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. Flanagan will succeed retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith. Flanagan’s victory also makes her the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Tafoya, a former NBC and NFL sideline reporter, was making her first run for elected office.

Attorney General Keith Ellison won a third term, defeating Republican challenger Ron Schutz. Secretary of State Steve Simon also secured re-election, defeating Republican Tad Jude. In the state auditor’s race, DFL candidate Zack Filipovich defeated Republican Scott Jensen to succeed retiring Auditor Julie Blaha.