Johnson names Donna Bergstrom as his Lieutenant Governor Pick

Plymouth, MN -- This morning at a press conference in St. Paul, Jeff Johnson announced Duluth resident Donna Bergstrom as his Lt. Governor selection.

Donna Bergstrom is a retired Lt. Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, was born and raised in Carlton, Minnesota and is a member of the Red Lake Nation. She brings a broad and diverse background, with life experience that shows dedication and commitment to public service.

Donna served over 20 years as an Intelligence Officer in the Marine Corps Reserve, handling some of our nation’s most sensitive secrets before retiring in 2010 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Donna served as the Commanding Officer of Company D, Marine Support Battalion, in Panama and was recalled to active duty for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She also has been a systems engineer in the private sector and founded her own company in 2001.

Donna is a committed, small-government conservative who draws on her military and civilian careers to bring a unique perspective to the political process.

“I couldn’t be happier to add someone with Donna’s amazing experience and integrity to the ticket," Johnson said. “Donna is not part of the broken system that is failing Minnesota. She is a mother, a Marine, a businesswoman and a grassroots Republican activist. The fact that she has such a full private and professional life but still stepped up in 2016 to run for the legislature in a Duluth district that Republicans haven't won for decades says a lot about her guts and her character. Together, we will upend the status quo in St. Paul.”

“I’m extremely grateful and excited to work alongside Jeff to bring fundamental, generational reform to Minnesota government. Jeff is the strongest Republican candidate in the race, and he will do what’s right for Minnesotans—even when no one is looking.” said Bergstrom. “In many ways my life has been the embodiment of the American Dream, and when I take office it will be a testament to the fact that political leaders can still be one of us - from the people and of the people.”

Most recently Donna worked as a Guardian ad Litem in the 6th Judicial District for the State of Minnesota, helping children who would otherwise not have a voice in court, and she is currently in the process of obtaining her Minnesota teaching license. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and holds a Master of Jurisprudence Degree from Loyola University-Chicago School of Law in Children’s Law and Policy. Donna lives in Duluth with her husband, Skip, and 12-year-old son, Ari.