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Johnson taps Bergstrom as running mate

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson named Donna Bergstrom of Duluth as his running mate
Commissioner Jeff Johnson with Donna Bergstrom

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, one of the leading Republican candidates for governor, has named Duluth party activist Donna Bergstrom as his running mate.

Bergstrom is a retired US Marine Corps Reserve member, who retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel after spending 20 years as an intelligence officer. The Carlton, Minn. native is also a member of the Red Lake Nation.

"In ways my life has been the embodiment of the American Dream, and when I take office it will be a testament ot the fact that political leaders can still be one of us, from the people and of the people," Bergstrom said in a statement issued by the Johnson campaign.

Johnson has been the favorite to win the party endorsement, but the late entry of former Gov. Tim Palwenty into the race has made the battle for the GOP nomination much more competitive.

Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani-Stevens is also campaigning for the party's endorsement. She recently named Rep. Jeff Backer of Browns Valley as her lieutenant governor candidate.

Johnson said he invited Bergstrom to join his campaign because he knew she would be a good partner for governing the state, and would bolster his chances in a statewide campaign.

Bergstrom holds a law degree from Loyola-Chicago, and is currently working on getting a teaching license. She lives in Duluth with husband Skip and 12-year-old son, Ari.

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