Michelle Fischbach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michelle Fischbach
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 7th district |
|
| Assumed office January 3, 2021 |
|
| Preceded by | Collin Peterson |
| 49th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota | |
| In office January 3, 2018 – January 7, 2019 |
|
| Governor | Mark Dayton |
| Preceded by | Tina Smith |
| Succeeded by | Peggy Flanagan |
| 10th and 12th President of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – May 25, 2018 |
|
| Preceded by | Sandy Pappas |
| Succeeded by | Jeremy Miller |
| In office January 4, 2011 – January 7, 2013 |
|
| Preceded by | Jim Metzen |
| Succeeded by | Sandy Pappas |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office February 12, 1996 – May 25, 2018 |
|
| Preceded by | Joe Bertram |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Howe |
| Constituency | 14th district (1996–2013) 13th district (2013–2018) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michelle Louise Helene St. Martin
November 3, 1965 Woodbury, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Scott Fischbach |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | St. Cloud State University (BA) William Mitchell College of Law (JD) |
Michelle Fischbach was born on November 3, 1965. She is an American lawyer and politician. She currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 7th congressional district. This district is very large and covers most of western Minnesota. Michelle Fischbach is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming a U.S. Representative, she was the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota from 2018 to 2019. She is the last Republican to hold a statewide office in Minnesota.
Fischbach was also a member of the Minnesota Senate for many years, from 1996 to 2018. During her time in the Senate, she was chosen to be the President of the Minnesota Senate twice. This happened from 2011 to 2013 and again from 2017 to 2018. When the previous Lieutenant Governor, Tina Smith, became a U.S. Senator, Michelle Fischbach automatically became Lieutenant Governor. This was required by the Minnesota Constitution.
In the 2020 U.S. House elections, Michelle Fischbach won against Collin Peterson. He had been the representative for Minnesota's 7th district for 30 years.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michelle Fischbach grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota. After finishing Woodbury High School, she went to college. She first attended the College of St. Benedict. Later, she transferred to St. Cloud State University. There, she earned a degree in political science and economics in 1989. In 2011, she also earned a law degree from William Mitchell School of Law in Saint Paul.
Her first experience in politics was as an intern for U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz. In 1994, Michelle Fischbach made history. She became the first woman elected to the Paynesville City Council. She served on the council until 1996.
Time in the Minnesota Senate
Michelle Fischbach was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1996. This happened in a special election. She was reelected several times after that. She served as a state senator until 2018.
During her time in the Senate, she held important leadership roles. She was an assistant minority leader and a deputy minority leader. She also led the Senate's committee on higher education.
In 2011, Republicans gained a majority in the Senate. Her fellow senators then elected her as the first female president of the Minnesota Senate. She held this position until 2013. When Republicans again won a majority in 2016, she was once more elected Senate president in 2017.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In 2018, the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, Tina Smith, was appointed to the U.S. Senate. According to the Minnesota Constitution, the President of the State Senate automatically becomes the Lieutenant Governor. Because Michelle Fischbach was the Senate President, she became the Lieutenant Governor.
At first, Fischbach wanted to keep her Senate seat while also being Lieutenant Governor. She called herself "acting lieutenant governor." There was some debate about whether she could hold both jobs at the same time. She believed she could, and she chose to only take the salary of a state senator. However, the state attorney general disagreed.
To avoid problems, Michelle Fischbach officially resigned from the Senate on May 25, 2018. She was then fully sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.
In May 2018, former Governor Tim Pawlenty chose Fischbach as his running mate. They ran together for governor and lieutenant governor. However, they lost in the Republican primary election. Michelle Fischbach left the office of Lieutenant Governor on January 7, 2019.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Winning the Election in 2020
On September 3, 2019, Michelle Fischbach announced she would run for the U.S. House of Representatives. She wanted to challenge Collin Peterson, who had been the representative for Minnesota's 7th congressional district for 30 years.
Even though Peterson was the current representative, the 7th district had been voting more and more Republican. In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump won the district with 62% of the vote. This was his best result in Minnesota.
During her campaign, Fischbach promised to support President Trump's policies. She also wanted to make the 2017 tax cuts permanent. She also focused on helping rural and farming businesses. These businesses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michelle Fischbach won the election against Collin Peterson by a large number of votes. She and Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa were the only Republican members of Congress to win districts that were held by Democrats in 2020.
Her Work in Congress
As a U.S. Representative, Michelle Fischbach has taken part in important votes. On January 7, 2021, she was one of many representatives who objected to the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. She mentioned concerns about possible irregularities. A few days later, she voted against the second impeachment of President Trump.
Committees and Groups
In the 118th Congress, Michelle Fischbach serves on several important committees:
- Committee on Ethics
- Committee on Rules (She chairs a subcommittee on legislative and budget process)
- Committee on the Budget
- Committee on Ways and Means (She is on subcommittees for oversight and trade)
She is also a member of several groups in Congress, including:
- Congressional Western Caucus (Vice Chair)
- Northern Border Caucus
- Congressional Biofuels Caucus
- Republican Study Committee
Political Views
Michelle Fischbach has voted on several key issues:
- American Rescue Act: She voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This act provided financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- National Defense Act: In 2021, she voted against the National Defense Authorization Act. This bill included a rule that would require women to register for military service.
- Fiscal Responsibility Act: She voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This bill dealt with government spending and debt.
- Israel: She voted to provide support to Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack.
- Vice President's Office Funding: In November 2023, she voted for a change that would stop funding for the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Personal Life
Michelle Fischbach is Roman Catholic. She met her husband, Scott, while they were working on a political campaign. They later moved to Paynesville. When she ran for Congress, she still lived there. Now, she and her family live in Regal, which is near Willmar. They have two children and several grandchildren.
Her husband, Scott, has been the executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life since 2001.
Images for kids
-
Official portrait of Rep. Michelle Fischbach
