Former Woodbury mayor announced as Gazelka’s running mate

A Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate has announced who will be with him on the ticket during the upcoming election.

Paul Gazelka says former Woodbury mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens has been tapped as his running mate and candidate for Lieutenant Governor.

Gazelka announced the news in a video posted to his YouTube page Thursday.

JUST IN: Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul Gazelka names former Woodbury mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens as his lieutenant governor running mate. Giuliani Stephens also ran for governor in 2018 before eventually supporting Jeff Johnson.https://t.co/WevI8ZAXey

— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) April 22, 2022

Stephens, who grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, served as the mayor of Woodbury from 2007-2018. Before that, she served on the Woodbury City Council.

As previously reported, Gazelka has said if elected as governor, he would focus on crime and taxes.

Gazelka is one of many Republican candidates seeking GOP endorsement, including state Sen. Michelle Benson, former state Sen. Scott Jensen, dermatologist Dr. Neil Shah, businessman and Army veteran Kendall Qualls and Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy.

LIST: Candidates running for Minnesota governor in 2022

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement after Gazelka announced his running mate:

Paul Gazelka wants to roll back abortion rights and cut taxes for the wealthiest Minnesotans, so it’s no surprise he chose a running mate who shares his agenda. Mary Giuliani Stephens wants to cut corporate taxes and estate taxes for millionaires while opposing minimum wage increases. Minnesota can’t afford to elect a gubernatorial ticket that will fight for their ultra-wealthy friends at the expense of working families.