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By Ryan Faircloth

Glen Stubbe/The Minnesota Star Tribune

Good morning. GOP U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach has a political problem on her hands after voting multiple times on the House Rules Committee to block the release of files on sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. Fischbach, who represents Minnesota's deep-red Seventh Congressional District, has angered some in the right-wing activist base with the votes she took, my colleague Sydney Kashiwagi writes.

“Congress’ participation in the Epstein cover-up may come back to haunt them,” conservative group Action 4 Liberty said in a post about Fischbach’s recent votes, calling for her to face a primary challenge.

Republicans in the Seventh District have wrestled with hardline activists who've challenged both Fischbach and former leadership of the local party. Activists ousted Seventh District GOP Chair Craig Bishop, a Fischbach staffer, earlier this year and elected Bret Bussman, a candidate supported by Action 4 Liberty.

Asked about Fischbach's votes related to the Epstein files, Bussman defended the congresswoman, however.

“Rep. Fischbach and other Republicans are committed to transparency and holding the government accountable, as well as ensuring no victims are hurt further as they seek the truth,” Bussman said in a statement. Read more.

Will her votes really hurt her? GOP political consultant Gregg Peppin told Kashiwagi he thinks that, ultimately, voters in the Seventh District will take their cue from President Donald Trump and not Action 4 Liberty. Fischbach's Epstein votes may not matter to MAGA voters who he thinks are more concerned about foreign policy, staying out of "forever wars" and a host of other issues.

"It's a radical fixation on Michelle Fischbach that Action 4 Liberty has and I really think they're trying to create an issue where none exists," Peppin said.

Showing no signs of backing down. But Democrats and some Republicans have signaled they're not going to stop pushing the issue. “Blocking the release of the Epstein files sends a message that if you're rich and well-connected, you’ll be shielded no matter what. Survivors have waited long enough," Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar said. "The public deserves to know the truth. If you’re not fighting for transparency then you’re helping to cover up abuse.”

Two special elections will decide control of the Minnesota Senate. My colleagues Allison Kite and Nathaniel Minor have a story on what's at stake in the soon-to-be-called special elections for Sens. Nicole Mitchell's and Bruce Anderson's seats.

Mitchell, a Democrat who was found guilty of first-degree burglary and felony possession of burglary tools last week, said she will resign her Woodbury seat by early August. Anderson, a Republican, died unexpectedly Monday at the age of 75. Anderson and Mitchell each won their seats by comfortable margins in 2022, but DFL and GOP leaders said they're going to try and flip them anyway. 

“The stakes are so high. Why wouldn’t you?” asked Jeff Hayden, a former DFL senator from Minneapolis and current lobbyist for Fredrikson Government Relations. “If you could pick up that seat — either one — you’ve changed the balance of power in the Legislature dramatically.” Read more.

Four candidates have filed paperwork to run for Melissa Hortman's House seat. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their home last month by a gunman allegedly targeting DFL lawmakers and abortion providers. The gunman also shot and wounded Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, the same night.

Allison writes that the candidates who've taken steps to run for Hortman's seat include Democrats Christian Eriksen, Xp Lee and Erickson Saye, and Republican Ruth Bittner. Eriksen is a Brooklyn Part City Council member, Lee is a former Brooklyn Park City Council member and Saye is a prosecutor in Hennepin County. Bittner is a real estate agent. Read more.

Gov. Tim Walz has no events on his public schedule Wednesday.

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