Lee Byberg of Willmar, Minn., has received the Republican endorsement to run against Congressman Collin Peterson in Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District, the Republican Party of Minnesota announced Saturday.
Byberg was facing State Senator Gretchen Hoffman in a hard-fought campaign to gain the endorsement. Hoffman entered the race after redistricting placed her into the same senate district as Republican Senator Bill Ingebritson.
Candidates for endorsement must receive at least 60 percent of the ballot to win. Byberg exceeded that requirement at the party's district convention in Alexandria this past weekend, though the precise vote total was not publicly revealed.
"Gretchen Hoffman ran a great race, and I know she has a bright future in politics," Byberg said in a press release.
Both candidates pledged to abide by the endorsement and forego a primary challenge.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Republicans are united and we are convinced that come November, Rep. Peterson will be retiring to the 7th District," stated Byberg. "We know our message of fiscal discipline, limited government and faith in free enterprise is exactly what Minnesotans believe."
Byberg is Vice President of Operations for Life Science Innovations, Inc. He ran as the Republican-endorsed candidate in the 2010 race. He is married and has three sons.
"Lee is a principled conservative leader who will work hard to win the support of western Minnesotans over the coming months, and when elected in November, he will work hard in Washington to reign in out-of-control government spending and get our country back on track," state party Chairman Pat Shortridge and Deputy Chairwoman Kelly Fenton said in a statement.
