Hughes announces another run for Congress, will challenge fellow Republican Rep. Fischbach

KARLSTAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Dave Hughes is making another run for Congress in Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District.

The Republican plans to challenge fellow Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach for the seat.

She has held it since defeating Democrat Rep. Collin Peterson in 2020.

Hughes is from Karlstad, Minnesota and is a retired U.S. Air Force Major.

In his announcement, he says Washington has grown too big, too intrusive, and too disconnected from the people it is supposed to serve.

He says he’ll hold town hall meetings in all 38 counties in the western Minnesota district which runs from the border with Canada to Pipestone, Murray and Cottonwood counties in the south to ensure the voter’s voices are heard in Washington, D.C.

Hughes previously ran for the seat in 2016, 2018 and 2020.

He had the Republican party endorsement twice but has never won the race.

Democrats in the race in 2026 include state Rep. Heather Keeler of Moorhead and Erik Osberg of Wadena.