Fischbach previously served in the State Senate, including as President – the first woman in state history to hold that role

ST. PAUL, MN – Michelle Fischbach officially took the oath of office today as Minnesota’s 49^th Lieutenant Governor, filling the vacancy created upon Senator Tina Smith’s resignation from that role. As President of the State Senate, Lt. Governor Fischbach is next in the line of succession to serve as Minnesota’s Lt. Governor.

“I thank Lt. Governor Fischbach for the personal and professional grace with which she is assuming on this important role,” said Governor Dayton. “Together, we share a strong and sincere commitment to providing the best possible services to the people of Minnesota. I look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.” 

As a member of the Minnesota Senate, Lt. Governor Fischbach served as President of the Senate – the first woman in state history to hold that role. In addition, Lt. Governor Fischbach chaired the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, served on the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.

“While I never expected this, I am prepared to take on this challenge and serve Minnesotans to the best of my ability,” said Lt. Governor Fischbach. “My goal over the past five months was to serve the constituents who elected me during this important Legislative Session. Now that the work of the Legislature has concluded, I will resign my seat in the Senate and focus on my role as Lieutenant Governor. I am honored to continue serving the people of Minnesota, and look forward to working with Governor Dayton.” 

Lt. Governor Fischbach resigned her seat in the Minnesota Senate today. Governor Dayton will issue a writ of special election for Senate District 13 to fill the vacancy caused by Lt. Governor Fischbach’s resignation from the Senate. The special election will be held in coordination with the State’s general election on Tuesday, November 6^th. 

About Lt. Governor Michelle Fischbach

Michelle Fischbach is Minnesota’s 49^th Lieutenant Governor. She was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1996, representing portions of Benton and Stearns Counties. From 2011 to 2013, Fischbach served as President of the Minnesota Senate, the first woman in state history to serve in this position. Fischbach was again elected President of the Senate in 2017. Before serving in the Minnesota Senate, she served on the Paynesville City Council.

In the Minnesota Senate, Fischbach chaired the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee during the 2017 Session. In this role, Fischbach was chief author of the Higher Education Omnibus Bill, which invested $36 million in the Minnesota State Grant Program, which ensures lower- and middle-income families receive direct financial aid to help afford college and career training. 

In addition, Fischbach served on the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, which was instrumental in passing legislation providing health insurance premium relief, making health care more affordable for Minnesotans shopping on the individual market.

In 2013, Fischbach authored legislation to rename an 11-mile portion of State Highway 23 for Cold Spring Police Officer Tom Decker who was killed in the line of duty. In 2017, she also sponsored legislation to rename a different section of State Highway 23 for Kenneth L. Olson who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for throwing himself upon a grenade in 1968, sacrificing his own life, while saving his fellow soldiers.

Lt. Governor Fischbach grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota. She earned a B.A. from Saint Cloud State University, and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. Lt. Governor Fischbach and her husband, Scott, live in Paynesville. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.  

A photo of Lt. Governor Fischbach is available here.