Republican gubernatorial candidate Senator Paul Gazelka announced his running mate Friday, choosing former mayor of Woodbury Mary Guliani Stephens.
In a video posted to YouTube, Gazelka announced, “I'm excited to announce that Mary Giuliani Stevens is joining our team to be Minnesota's next lieutenant governor. Crime, inflation, high taxes, the lack of respect for parents and business owners, Minnesota can't wait.”
Stephens was mayor of Woodbury from 2011 to 2018. She has also run for Governor herself, and once sought the state Senate seat held by longtime DFL incumbent Susan Kent.
In the video, Stephens said, “Now is our best chance to change course implement a bold conservative agenda that lifts up Minnesota families, puts forward a candidate who not only is a rock solid principled, conservative, but who has a real record of getting results.”
Stephens is a former attorney, married, and a mother of two.
This is the second major running mate announced in the GOP race. Dr. Scott Jensen chose former Minnesota Viking player Matt Birk in March to be his running mate.
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Minnesota’s Republicans will endorse a candidate for governor in May at their state convention in Rochester.
Also running for the GOP endorsement are Michelle Benson, Mike Murphy, Neil Shah, Kendall Qualls, Rich Stanek, Scott Magie and Bob Carney Jr.
Third-party candidates for the office include James McCaskel, Cory Hepola and Hugh McTavish. Incumbent Governor Tim Walz (D) will be running for reelection.
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