Minnesota lawmakers weigh in on Donald Trump

Donald Trump may be the presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee, but he’s getting tepid public support from two of Minnesota’s highest ranking elected republicans. House Speaker Kurt Daudt is still taking a cautious stance one day after Trump dominated in the Indiana Primary and Sen. Ted Cruz suspended his campaign.

“Well, I first I think we need to wait and see if he is the nominee,” said Daudt.

Daudt acknowledged Trump is now the presumptive nominee but is holding off on throwing his support behind Trump.

“You will notice that I have not gotten vocal about who I support or don’t support in the presidential race since Scott Walker got out of the race.  That’s who I was supporting.  And my focus is and our member’s focus is right here in Minnesota focusing on the work that Minnesotans sent us here to do.” Daudt.

House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin is also taking holding back wanting to instead wrap up the legislative session in St. Paul.

Peppin said, “My choice would have been Cruz if I had a choice, but certainly we have work to do and we’ll see what happens at the convention and we’ll see where the state is at in a few months.”

Governor Mark Dayton, a democrat, said he has great respect for Trump’s political prowess.  “I’ve never underestimated him, I think he’s been underestimated throughout this process by people who’ve done so at their own peril.”

“He’s obviously very serious about his intent to become President of the United States and he has a message that captured over half of the electorate in Indiana on the Republican side of the electorate yesterday,” said Dayton. 

While Speaker Daudt may be shy about throwing his support behind Trump before he’s nominated he left no doubt speaking about the November elections.   

“Make no mistake, I’ll be voting for a republican.”