MN Rep. Tom Emmer scores speaking slot at RNC, seeks to flip the state
MILWAUKEE — Tuesday night, Minnesota Republican Congressman and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer rallied conservatives on day two of the Republican National Convention to flip his state for former President Donald Trump.
The third-ranking Republican is chair of the former president's Minnesota reelection campaign and used his four-minute-long appearance to slam President Joe Biden and give equal weight to Vice President Kamala Harris as speculation has stirred in recent weeks that she could be a replacement for Biden following heightened scrutiny of his mental acuity and fitness for the role.
More: Elections 2024: Will Minnesota be a battleground state in November?
"I know firsthand Minnesotans can't afford four more years of Joe Biden or Kamala Harris, which is why I'm confident that we will make history this November when we turn Minnesota red for the first time in 50 years," he said to the crowd in Fiserv Forum.
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The theme of the night was "Make America Safe Once Again." And Emmer used it as an opportunity to mention the civil unrest in the summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd.
"When Minneapolis was in flames and businesses were in ruins, Kamala Harris encouraged and enabled the criminals and the rioters," Emmer said. "Donald Trump stands with the people and the police."
An anxious timeline
Despite giving him a speaking slot at the convention, Trump hasn't always supported Emmer.
In October, Emmer, 63, ended his campaign for House speakership just hours after he won his party's nomination. It was clear from not only his far-right colleagues in the Freedom Caucus, but also from the leader of his own party, he was not wanted for the job.
Trump took to Truth Social to brand Emmer as a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only), calling his would-be speakership a "tragic mistake." The former president's objection coupled with dissenting Trump supporters in Congress made way for Emmer to end his short bid and Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to become House speaker.
Emmer was a strong supporter of Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns but didn't follow suit with the far-right wing of his party and voted to certify the 2020 election results, not buying into the unfounded claims of a stolen election and facing backlash as a result. Since, Emmer has expressed support of Trump, seemingly finding his way back into his good graces and leading his charge in the North Star State.
The four-term representative is seeking reelection to represent the 6th congressional district that encompasses many of the counties in the northern and western areas of the Minneapolis metro area, including all of Stearns County and most of Sherburne and Benton counties.
— Sam Woodward is the Minnesota elections reporting fellow for USA Today. You can reach her at swoodward@gannett.com, on X @woodyreports, or on Threads @samjowoody
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: RNC 2024: Rep. Emmer, Minn., champions Trump, seeks to flip state
