Lacy Johnson spoke with me last month while he was recovering from the flu. But he was as spirited as ever. The Republican is challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) for her congressional seat representing Minnesota’s 5th district, and he is confident that between his business acumen and her radical agenda, he'll do very well.
“I’m not a politician,” Johnson says right off the bat. He prefers the title, “computer technologist businessman entrepreneur.”
This computer technologist businessman entrepreneur has lived in Minnesota for over three decades, he shares, and in that span, he’s seen many issues “going unsolved unnecessarily.”
“Someone had to go out and give people different solutions,” he noted. "Train young people how to run a business."
The GOP thought Johnson could be that "someone" when it approached him last year and asked him to run against State Rep. Raymond Dehn for Minnesota District 59B, which he did. While his run was unsuccessful, Johnson was encouraged by the response he received, particularly from his debate performances. He says that "99 percent" of the people who saw his debate against Dehn agreed that he "shredded" his opponent, who represents the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
The GOP saw a spark too and asked him to run one more time - this time for Congress. Johnson didn't need much persuading, he explained, because this time he has an “extra incentive.” Her name is Rep. Ilhan Omar.
"She’s a socialist," Johnson said. "She’s anti-American sovereignty."
He added that Omar is "anti-American security, anti-semitic, and anti-Israel," and he "looks forward" to exposing her agenda on a debate stage, should she accept the challenge.
"She’s got a lot of crazy ideas when it comes to climate change and things like that," Johnson said. "I’ve done my research. I think they’re all ready to be shredded. So I'm looking forward to debating."
Johnson says he's pining after two particular categories of voters. First, there are the "concerned Minnesotans who see what Omar is doing and think she’s almost an embarrassment to the district and state, and they’re looking for someone to run against her." That demographic, he said, has provided "some of the most passionate responses" to Omar's radical agenda.
The other group Johnson is fighting for are the open-minded individuals who don't have a stomach for partisan politics. Reaching them will require "a precise political strategy" that lets these voters get to know him, he muses.
His campaign launch video is a solid start.
My name is Lacy Johnson and I am running for Congress against @Ilhan Omar.
— Lacy Johnson (@LacyJohnsonMN) August 15, 2019
Ms. Omar does not represent the values of our district or our great country.
Please watch my video and support my campaign. https://t.co/Y9GyVGpnZ6 pic.twitter.com/u5CxJPTZmE