Fischer prevails in rancorous DFL primary in HD 43A

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Peter Fischer faced a barrage of attack mailings from opponent Bob Hill in the DFL primary in House District 43A. But the DFL-endorsed candidate ultimately prevailed by an 8 percent margin on Tuesday.

Hill sent out one mailing calling Fischer “pro-life,” despite the fact that he was endorsed by the NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota Election Fund and received a 100-percent rating on the group’s candidate questionnaire. Another hit piece suggested that Fischer secured the DFL endorsement through “nepotism” because Mapelewood Mayor Will Rossbach is his cousin. Hill spent at least $25,000 of his own money on the campaign.

Fisher doesn’t believe the attacks were particularly effective. “Having talked to so many people at the doors, quite a few people were turned off by it,” he says.

House District 43A, which includes parts of Maplewood, White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi, tilts slightly in favor of DFLers. But Republicans are keen on challenger Stacey Stout. The GOP nominee has a resume that includes staff positions with the U.S. House and Senate and work as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.