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Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) Research Report The following report contains research on Michelle Fischbach, a Republican candidate in Minnesota’s 7th district. Research for this research book was conducted by the DCCC’s Research Department between February 2020 and May 2020. By accepting this report, you are accepting responsibility for all information and analysis included. Therefore, it is your responsibility to verify all claims against the original documentation before you make use of it. Make sure you understand the facts behind our conclusions before making any specific charges against anyone. FirstName LastName Republican Candidate in Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District Research Book – 2020 May 2020 Prepared by the DCCC Research Department Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) Research Book | 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ....................................................................................... 1 Key Findings .............................................................................................. 3 Thematics .................................................................................................. 5 Fischbach Was Out Of Touch With Hardworking Minnesotans ................ 6 Fischbach Was Part Of The Swamp ......................................................... 15 Fischbach Was Bad For Education .......................................................... 23 Key Visuals.............................................................................................. 30 Personal & Professional History .............................................................. 31 Biography ................................................................................................ 32 Personal Finance ...................................................................................... 36 Political Career ........................................................................................ 38 Ethics ....................................................................................................... 49 Relationships ........................................................................................... 59 Donald Trump .......................................................................................... 64 Issues ....................................................................................................... 67 Abortion & Women’s Health Issues ........................................................ 68 Agriculture & Food Access Issues ........................................................... 80 Budget Issues ........................................................................................... 81 Consumer Issues & Regulations .............................................................. 85 Crime & Public Safety Issues .................................................................. 86 Education Issues ...................................................................................... 89 Election Law & Campaign Finance Issues............................................... 99 Energy Issues ......................................................................................... 103 Environmental Issues ............................................................................. 104 Equal Rights & Workplace Fairness ...................................................... 107 FEMA & Disaster Relief Issues ............................................................. 108 Foreign Policy Issues ............................................................................. 110 Gun Issues ............................................................................................. 112 Health Care Issues ................................................................................. 114 Housing Issues ....................................................................................... 124 Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) Research Book | 2 Infrastructure & Transportation Issues ................................................... 126 Judiciary Issues ...................................................................................... 136 Labor & Working Families .................................................................... 137 Immigration & Border Issues ................................................................. 140 LGBT Issues .......................................................................................... 141 Science & Technology Issues ................................................................ 143 State Issues ............................................................................................ 144 Seniors’ Issues ....................................................................................... 146 Tax Issues .............................................................................................. 147 Trade & Outsourcing Issues ................................................................... 156 Veterans & Military Family Issues ........................................................ 158 Appendix I – Personal Financial Disclosures ......................................... 160 Appendix II – Campaign Finance .......................................................... 162 Appendix III – Paid Media Summary .................................................... 164 Appendix IV – Bill Sponsorships .......................................................... 165 Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) Research Book | 3 Key Findings Fischbach Was Out Of Touch With Hardworking Minnesotans Throughout Her Career, Fischbach Voted To Defend Corporations And Give Tax Breaks To The Rich. In 2018, Fischbach supported a bill that provided tax giveaways to multinational corporations and the wealthiest Minnesotans, without providing sufficient education funding. In 1999, she supported a $1.1 billion tax giveaway that primarily benefited the wealthiest Minnesotans. In 2003, she voted against a bill that raised taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans and balanced the budget, arguing that it was the “worst thing” for the state’s economy. In 2004, she voted against a wide-ranging tax bill that included more local funding for outstate Minnesota, bonuses for veterans, higher taxes on the wealthy, and incentives for infrastructure development. In 2006, she opposed a tax plan that would have given relief to school districts and farmers, simply because it raised taxes on corporations. Fischbach Was Out Of Touch With Minnesota’s Farmers. In an interview conducted in September 2019, Fischbach did not know basic crop prices in Minnesota. After the interviewer asked her to state the price of soybeans, Fischbach said she did not know. When the interviewer pressed her further and asked her to simply list approximate prices, she was still unable to provide an approximate figure. Fischbach Consistently Voted Against Minimum Wage Increases In Minnesota. In 2004, 2005, and 2013, she voted against raising the minimum wage. Fischbach Was Part Of The Swamp Fischbach Was A Career Politician Who Was Willing To Put Her Party Ahead Of The Best Interests Of Minnesotans. Fischbach was first elected to political office in 1995, and prior to that was a pro-life activist. When Fischbach become Lt. Governor after Tina Smith was appointed to the Senate, Fischbach cost the Minnesota nearly $150,000 by attempting to keep her state Senate seat and preserve the Republican majority. Fischbach And Her Husband Were Criticized For Potential Conflicts Of Interest And Seeming Pay To Play Politics. In 2011, Fischbach voted to protect a Republican lawmaker who was implicated in a pay-to-play scandal. Scott was the Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, an influential pro-life group in Minnesota. Michelle served on the board of the group while she was a state legislator, sparking concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Scott was also accused in engaging in pay-for-play in 2007 when he served on the board of Mississippi Right for Life, a powerful pro-life group in Mississippi Campaign finance records showed that a gubernatorial candidate, Charlie Ross, was only endorsed by the group after he contracted with Scott’s consulting firm. A March 2007 memo from Scott to Bryant showed Scott telling Bryant he wanted to “do [his] part to ensure your victory,” but Scott later insisted there was “no quid pro quo.” Fischbach And Her Husband Had Long-Standing Ties To Washington D.C Elite. In 1997, when she was a low-profile state senator, Fischbach held a fundraiser in Washington that was hosted by high profile Republicans, including Bob Dole, Bill Brock, Rod Grams, and Vin Weber. Fischbach’s 2020 Congressional campaign has received tens of thousands from Washington Republican leadership, including Minority Leader McCarthy. Fischbach Was Bad For Education Fischbach Was An Obstacle To College Affordability. In 2013, as chair of the Senate Education committee, Fischbach opposed tuition relief funding for the University of Minnesota, even though officials from the university system had requested funding that specifically included tuition relief. In 2013, Fischbach voted against a higher education funding package that sought to lower tuition costs. Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) Research Book | 4 Fischbach Was Bad For Public Education. In 2000, Fischbach supported eliminating K-12 performance requirements in Minnesota. In 2003, Fischbach called for cuts to funding that went towards the arts and facility improvement in Minnesota. Fischbach Was Bad For Teachers. In 2011, Fischbach advocated for and voted for