Conservative Radio Host Captures GOP Nod For Kline's Congressional Seat
MINNEAPOLIS (AP/WCCO) — Conservative radio host Jason Lewis captured the Republican nomination for a prized U.S. House seat, crystallizing the race for the southeastern Minnesota swing district that both parties feel they can win in November.
Lewis rode his name recognition and party endorsement to advance Tuesday from a four-way field seeking to replace the retiring Republican Rep. John Kline. He'll face Democratic candidate Angie Craig, a former St. Jude Medical executive who amassed nearly $2 million for her 2nd Congressional District bid while Republicans fought it out among themselves.
"It's going to be a very tough battle. We're battle tested," Lewis said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
After Kline served seven terms that included a chairmanship, his retirement set off a scramble. Lewis bested not just the three candidates in Tuesday's primary, but four others who dropped off either after Lewis nabbed the GOP endorsement or early in the race.
"This has been a long grueling race, but a healthy one," Lewis said after defeating businesswoman Darlene Miller, former state lawmaker John Howe and business consultant Matt Erickson.
A lightning-fast talker whose ability to turn a phrase was honed by two decades on the radio, Lewis wasn't shy about leveraging the popularity from his radio shows, where he was dubbed "Mr. Right." But GOP opponents like Miller warned that his career — and some controversial remarks he made on air — would make Lewis a weak opponent against Craig.
In a statement released Wednesday, Craig contrasted herself with Lewis, saying that while she helped lead a medical device company, the radio host was "talking at people."
"What's disturbing about Jason's time on the air isn't just the shock value of his soundbites--it's the strength of conviction he shows in standing by his opinions. From calling young women 'non-thinking,' to suggesting victims of natural disasters are a bunch of 'whiners,' to his twisted logic on slavery, it's no surprise that he wants to join the group of extremists in the Freedom Caucus who shut down the government," the statement says. "Jason's candidacy represents a fundamental contradiction of Minnesota values."
National Democrats quickly pounced on Lewis' nomination, circulating some of those statements Tuesday night, including one in which he called some women "ignorant" for their views on contraceptives.
For his part, Lewis has said he stands by his on-air work but conceded he has "spiced it up too far" at times. That's how some of his supporters felt at the polls Tuesday.
"I know he can be inflammatory. He's an entertainer," said Todd Laubach, who voted at a polling place in Lakeville. "That doesn't sway me that he can't be reasonable."
Though it was one of the few competitive races across the state, turnout was light. At Laubach's polling place, only 115 people had voted as of 5 p.m. — less than 5 percent of the precinct's registered voters.
Matt Schiefelbein, 20, said he voted for Miller, citing her endorsement by Kline among other things. He also said he was disturbed by some of Lewis' "stupid, kind of Donald Trump-like" comments.
Meanwhile, one of Minnesota's longest-serving lawmakers lost her fight to extend her 44-year legislative career in a three-way Democratic primary. Somali community activist Ilhan Omar beat Rep. Phyllis Kahn, of Minneapolis. Given the district's heavy Democratic lean, Omar's win makes it likely she'll be the nation's first Somali-American lawmaker.
State House Speaker Kurt Daudt easily fended off a primary challenger in his central Minnesota district. Daudt defeated former county commissioner Alan Duff, allowing him to focus on the House GOP's efforts to maintain control of the chamber this fall.
In the sole statewide race on Tuesday's ballot, voters sent Associate Justice Natalie Hudson on to the general election for the Minnesota Supreme Court. Two candidates will advance to November, but Michelle MacDonald and Craig Foss were still fighting it out for the second spot.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
