MINNEAPOLIS — A suburban banker and military veteran has jumped into the 2024 race for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, challenging Democrat incumbent Amy Klobuchar.
Republican Joe Fraser, who spent 26 years in the U.S. Navy and now works in the banking industry, launched a campaign website Monday and planned a tour of the state Tuesday and Wednesday to introduce himself to voters.
"I'm running for the U.S. Senate to continue my life of service for the people of Minnesota," Fraser wrote on his webpage.
"We must work to put an end to the crises at our borders, to tackle rising consumer prices and our historic national debt, and to ensure our streets are safe from those who wish to cause us harm."
According to his campaign, Fraser was deployed to Europe, Haiti, Asia and the Middle East in support of operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Unified Response, and Enduring Freedom. He retired at the rank of commander and worked in cyber security before moving into banking.
Fraser makes his home in Minnetrista with his wife Rhonda, who is also a U.S. Navy veteran. Their teenage daughter is a senior at Mound Westonka High School.
Minnesotans haven't elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006, when then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty won re-election. And Klobuchar has defeated her Republican opponents soundly in her three previous campaigns.
In 2006, she beat Congressman Mark Kennedy by 58% to 38%. In 2012, she topped Rep. Kurt Bills 65% to 30%. And in 2018 she breezed to a 60% to 36% victory over Rep. Jim Newberger.
Klobuchar raised her national profile as a leading member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.
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