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Marshall Today
By the People, for the People
Minnesota Congressional Candidates Sign Pledge to Abide by GOP Endorsement
Dave Hughes and Rep. Michelle Fischbach have agreed to not run in the primary if they don't win the party's nomination.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:55am
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The pledge between Minnesota congressional candidates reflects the complex political maneuvering and party dynamics at play in the lead-up to the GOP endorsement convention.Marshall TodayRetired Air Force Major Dave Hughes said he and Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach have signed a pledge stating that if they don't win the endorsement at the congressional district's GOP convention, they won't run in the primary. This comes after Fischbach previously rescinded a similar pledge in 2024 before the convention.
Why it matters
The pledge is intended to uphold the party's endorsement process and prevent divisive primary battles, but Fischbach's past actions have raised concerns about whether she will actually abide by the new pledge.
The details
In 2024, Fischbach signed a pledge with her then Republican rival Steve Boyd, but rescinded it before the convention happened. She went on to win the election for Minnesota's 7th Congressional District by 41% of the vote against Democrat A. John Peters. Hughes said that while Fischbach is legally allowed to break the pledge, it would 'break faith with the party members, with the delegates, and those who put so much effort into it.'
- The Minnesota 7th Congressional District GOP's endorsing convention will be held in Marshall on April 25, 2026.
- In 2024, Fischbach signed a pledge with her then Republican rival Steve Boyd, but rescinded it before the convention happened.
The players
Dave Hughes
A retired Air Force Major who is running for Congress in Minnesota's 7th District.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach
The current Congresswoman for Minnesota's 7th District, who is also running for re-election.
Steve Boyd
Fischbach's Republican rival in the 2024 election.
A. John Peters
The Democratic candidate who ran against Fischbach in the 2024 election.
What they’re saying
“'Legally she's allowed to do it. Nobody in the state, no law enforcement person or anybody is going to say she broke the law, but it definitely would break faith with the party members, with the delegates, and those who put so much effort into it.'”
— Dave Hughes, Congressional Candidate
What’s next
The Minnesota 7th Congressional District GOP's endorsing convention will be held in Marshall on April 25, 2026, where it will be determined if Hughes and Fischbach abide by their pledge.
The takeaway
This pledge highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican party in Minnesota, as candidates navigate the party's endorsement process and try to balance their own political ambitions with maintaining unity and trust within the party.
