Ortman wins spot on GOP ticket
Senate Tax Committee Chair Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, will face-off against Democrat James Weygand in this fall's elections to represent Senate District 47.
Ortman defeated Bruce Schwichtenberg in a heated primary battle.
After an endorsement fight at the district's May convention, neither Ortman or Schwichtenberg had secured support from the party.
Ortman said that the convention's unusual outcome had a lot to do with high turnout among delegates who support Ron Paul, and who supported Schwichtenberg.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
For his part, Schwichtenberg said Ortman was not conservative enough for the district.
"Leading into November I hope we're going to have a very courageous conversation with the resident of the state of Minnesota about the issues that matter most," including the economy, Ortman said.
If she wins the general election in November, Ortman said won't change the way she legislates despite the turn further right her primary race took.
"This was a very important election to provide all the authority I need to go back to the state capitol and continue the work that I've been doing," Ortman said.