“We need to get government off our backs by ending fraud, waste and abuse. We need lower license tab fees too. They’re three times the cost for newer vehicles here compared to South Dakota,” said Seifert, a bank loan officer and licensed auctioneer.

“I’m trying to help people afford living in this state.”

A couple veteran politicians urged individuals to get out and vote this fall in order to give Republicans a chance to get a majority in the Minnesota House and Senate and win the governor’s seat.

“Show up. Vote on Election Day. That’s the only way we’ll win a state race again,” said outgoing state District 15B Rep. Paul Torkelson R-Hanska, at the Brown County Republican Convention in the Sleepy Eye REA Auditorium Saturday.

“I’ve been privileged and proud to represent this district for the past 18 years. It takes sacrifices to serve in the legislature when you’ve got a farm back home. You aren’t home at lot,” he said.

Another outgoing legislator, Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls said voter support is needed to deal with he he said is wrong at the state capitol.

“There are 17 gun bills in the legislature now. Fourteen passed the committee level last week,” said Dahms. “It’s good to see so many people here today. County convention chairman Greg Bartz told me there are three times the usual number of people here today. We need the interest to continue. When we skip voting, it’s like a vote for the opposition. If we lose to the Democrats in the House and Senate, they’ll take all our guns away. Help us win in November and we’ll show how Minnesota should really operate.”

First District Congressman Brad Finstad of New Ulm admitted his job isn’t always enjoyable.

“I often don’t like it, but being a farmer prepared me for it. It’s like scraping manure. There’s a lot of cleanup to be done,” he said. “It’s about common sense vs. being crazy. People that hate Donald Trump put that above country. By being crazy, I mean look what the Democrats want to do, giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. That’s crazy.”

Brian Mock is a landscaper from Lynd who said he was arrested at the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack where a group of several thousand supporters of Donald Trump attended the “Save America” rally and stormed the United States Capitol during a joint session of Congress in which the Electoral College vote was to be certified.

“I saw an election that was rigged and a bridge too far,” said Mock. “It was a peaceful protest until police opened fire and tased individuals. The claims against me were all lies. I stood up for fraud all the way and will continue to do so in St. Paul if elected.”

Capitol riot reports included an unknown number of rioters injured, at least 5 rioters were hospitalized, 138 police officers were injured, at least 15 hospitalized and five deaths were reported.

Mock’s campaign information reads “liberal, activist judges held me unlawfully and stripped me of my constitutional rights. I took on the system alone and was thrown in solitary confinement. I endured years of captivity and torture, cheered on by the left. That experience made me an ardent constitutionalist. I was pardoned by President Trump. I am grateful for that pardon.”

Republican Tiffany Lesmeister-Knott also seeks the District 15 Senate seat. A Redwood County farmer living between Clements and Wabasso, she also tests milk in Minnesota and South Dakota.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnesota Senate District 15 candidate Braxton Seifert of Marshall speaks at the county Republican Convention Saturday.

“Gov. Walz and the Democrats want to take away my gas stove and guns,” she said. “My platform is about faith, family and freedom. I’d like to see schools more involved with reading, writing and arithmetic.”

Tammy Houle of Redwood Falls is running for Rep. Paul Torkelson’s District 15B House seat.

“I’m a diehard, Christian constitutionalist, 100 percent pro life. I’m a fighter who wont’ back down. I want to defend property rights, especially in the ag community, eliminate excessive regulations and mandates, expose fraud and hold those responsible for it accountable,” she said.

Geri This is another District 15B candidate who grew up on a Belview hobby farm and is a Redwood Falls real estate broker and community leader.

“I want to thank Gary Dahms and Paul Torkelson for their long legislature service. I will provide accountability and affordability,” she said.

Seventh District Congressional candidate Dave Hughes said he wants to reduce the size of government and the national debt. He said he will introduce a bill to end abortion in America.

Alycia Gruenhagen of Glencoe is running for the District 7 U.S. Senate seat.

“I’m pro life without any apologies. I value life and support pro life organizations,” she said. “Minnesota’s morality has broken down.”

She said the way to flip Minnesota to the Republican party is with economic growth from tax cuts, deregulation, passing and enforcing voter ID legislation, supporting law enforcement, eliminating reliance on foreign energy, local control of education, balanced budgets and grassroots engagement.

Brown County Convention Secretary Barbara Horsch of New Ulm received the 2026 Brown County Republican of the Year Award.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County Republican Chairman Greg Bartz and convention secretary Barb Horsch overlook a standing room-only crowd at the Brown County Auditorium Saturday.