Minnesota Lawyer
Allen Quist
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has thrown her support and conservative credentials behind Republican Allen Quist in the race for the GOP nomination in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District.
In a recent letter to delegates, Bachmann highlighted her experience working with Quist in the past on a number of initiatives, and endorsed his political character as well.
“You should support Allen because he is someone you can trust,” she wrote. “I don’t have to tell you that trust is a rare commodity in today’s political world.”
Having the support of Bachmann in his battle with state Sen. Mike Parry for the GOP nomination could prove a boon for Quist as each candidate has fought to lock up support among conservative activists in the 1st Congressional District. That contest, and the fundraising going on behind the scenes, is proving closer that many expected. The Parry campaign, for its part, rolled out a slate of local activists supporting his candidacy on Wednesday, but none carried the high-profile firepower of Bachmann’s backing.
Bachmann highlighted her past experience working with Quist as part of EdWatch, an organization that successfully pushed for a repeal of Minnesota’s Profile of Learning, in announcing her support.
“The reason our organization did so much good was largely because of Allen’s intellectual firepower and courage,” Bachmann wrote. “Many thousands of Minnesota students owe a huge debt of gratitude to Allen for his highly successful work with EdWatch.”
Bachmann’s ties to Quist run deeper as well. His wife, Julie Quist, was once a staffer for Bachmann in her district office.
Republicans will select their candidate to challenge U.S. Rep. Tim Walz this weekend. Parry has indicated he’d abide by the endorsement, while Quist has been noncommittal.
