Dakota Times

While U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Moorhead) is waiting until next year to make an official re-election announcement, five Republican candidates have already filed their intentions to replace the House of Representatives member of 28 years.

Peterson’s previous opponent and retired Air Force major Dave Huges, along with former lieutenant governor and State Sen. Michelle Fischbach, Windom pastor Jayesun Sherman, attorney and former military member Joel Novak, and Albany gastroenterologist and another former opponent Noel Collis all plan on taking Peterson’s office in the November 2020 Election. All are Republicans.

This marks one of the largest numbers of candidates to challenge Peterson since his appointment in 1991.

"People see there's a huge opportunity to retire Collin Peterson," Minnesota GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan told DL-Online.

Among all the candidates, Hughes has placed himself as Peterson’s top competition above everyone else, criticizing the other candidates for joining in the race. Peterson had beat Hughes by only a four-point margin in 2016 and a five-point margin in 2018.

“I am the front-runner,” Hughes told DL-Online. "Michelle jumping in and the (Republican) Party jumping in behind her is just a slap in the face to the delegates and the endorsing process."

Each candidate allied with President Donald Trump early in their campaigns, hoping their support of his actions and policies, combined with his popularity in the district, will allow them to earn possible easy victories.

"The 7th District needs someone who really represents their values and will go to Washington and fight," Fischbach told Forum News Service.