ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keith Downey announced today that he is running for Governor of Minnesota in 2018 and will seek the Republican Party’s endorsement in the race. Notably, Downey received the endorsement of one of the top Republican figures in the state, former United States Senator Rudy Boschwitz.
Downey met with reporters after filing his campaign committee at the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, saying he is running to Make Minnesota Work for Everyone, which is the theme of the campaign.
“I am blessed to have been born and raised here in Minnesota, with wonderful opportunities. But I’m worried about the future of our state. Far too many people no longer see their opportunity here, and Minnesota’s government is failing us in so many ways. Responsibility for that lies with the politicians in St. Paul,” Downey said. “I’m running because we need to make Minnesota work for everyone, not just the elites, career politicians, special interests, and insiders. I’m asking every Minnesotan to join the cause, because only together will we be successful. We must act now.”
Downey pointed out that his extensive business experience before entering politics is unique in the race, and combined with being a two-term chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota (RPM) and former state representative, he is uniquely positioned with the know-how and solutions to Make Minnesota Work for Everyone.
Rudy Boschwitz, former United States Senator and one of the most active and respected Minnesota Republican leaders, announced his support of Downey’s candidacy.
"I'm for Keith Downey. It's simply a matter of competence. He was State Party Chairman for two election cycles. During the first in 2014 we won the House. In the second in 2016 we added the State Senate. Keith did much to make that happen. Minnesota is a wonderful State. But it doesn't live up to its great potential. Keith can fix that. He has the competence to do so. And to coin a phrase: ‘Keith will make Minnesota great(er) again,’” Boschwitz said.
Downey said the campaign is truly honored to have Senator Boschwitz’s support.
Downey also stressed the importance of having worked across all of Minnesota in the past four years, saying he will be a statewide candidate who knows the challenges faced by Minnesotans in every corner of the state. Downey said that to serve all of Minnesota and make the changes that are needed, he will focus on the biggest issues facing the state: to grow new and better jobs, reign in government spending and overreach, and fix the education achievement gap.
