Michelle Fischbach

Michelle Fischbach is a Republican politician and attorney serving as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 7th congressional district. A native Minnesotan, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics from St. Cloud State University in 1989 and later received her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in 2011. Her political career began on the Paynesville City Council in 1994, where she was the first woman elected to that body. In 1996, she was elected to the Minnesota Senate, a position she held for over two decades. During her tenure in the state legislature, Fischbach achieved several historic milestones, including becoming the first woman to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate (2011–2013 and 2017–2018). In 2018, she ascended to the role of the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota following the resignation of her predecessor. She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, defeating long-time incumbent Collin Peterson, and assumed office on January 3, 2021. In Congress, she serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Rules Committee. Fischbach has been recognized as a leader within the Republican party for her focus on rural issues and conservative values. Throughout her career, she has advocated for agricultural interests, reflecting the needs of her heavily rural district. She has also been active in leadership roles, including serving as a co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus.

Michelle Fischbach maintains a consistently conservative voting record and platform. She is a prominent advocate for pro-life policies, serving as co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus; she opposes federal funding for abortion and supported the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. On immigration, she advocates for increased border security, opposes sanctuary city policies, and has introduced legislation to block taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants. She is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment, opposing bans on 'assault weapons' and high-capacity magazines, and has received high ratings from major gun rights organizations. On economic issues, Fischbach favors fiscal restraint and often opposes large omnibus spending packages, citing concerns over the national debt and the legislative process. She opposes tax increases on small businesses and family farms, and she has consistently advocated for policies that support the agricultural sector. Regarding healthcare, she focuses on strengthening the rural healthcare workforce and opposes federal mandates on nursing home staffing levels. Her positions on social issues include a strong emphasis on religious liberty and parental rights in education and healthcare decision-making.