Former President Donald Trump and his followers have raised questions about Tom Emmer conservative credentials. Emmer, a prominent figure in the House Republican ranks, aspired to become the first-ever Speaker of the House from Minnesota—a pursuit that was brief.
Seizing the nomination for speaker on a Tuesday morning, Emmer stepped down from the race just hours later under immense pressure from Trump and his circle who cast doubts over Emmer’s conservative credibility. More than 20 GOP House members reportedly stood against Emmer taking up the speakership.
Emmer, having kick-started his political journey in the city councils of Independence and Delano in Minnesota, missed an opportunity to rise to one of the highest offices in the American political landscape—second only to the vice presidency in the succession line. Despite enduring a hard blow in his bid for the speakership and losing a contentious gubernatorial race to Democrat Mark Dayton, Emmer is predicted to retain significant influence within the Republican segment in Congress. Now, we delve into Emmer’s past and his climb to prominence.
Tom Emmer Personal and Professional Details
Hailing from Indiana, 62-year-old Emmer was brought up in Minnesota and attended the private boys’ school, St. Thomas Academy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and a JD from William Mitchell, presently known as the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Emmer’s professional life includes a stint as a hockey coach, practicing law and running his own firm before being elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2004. Emmer and his wife, Jacquie, have a blissful married life of 30-plus years and are parents to seven children, as stated on his congressional website.
Tom Emmer Impaired Driving Incident
Emmer was charged with DWI offenses twice, first at the age of 20 and again ten years later. Emmer pleaded guilty to reckless driving, while two DWI charges were dismissed. An independent group, Alliance for a Better Minnesota, who supported Dayton, highlighted these charges in a hard-hitting political ad during the 2010 gubernatorial election. They ran an ad recounting the charges and a story of a mother who lost her son to a drunk driver.
In the same year, Emmer’s son faced charges for underage drinking. Emmer expressed that his family was addressing this issue with “humility, seriousness, and love.” When asked about his own history of drunk driving, Emmer admitted to a Star Tribune reporter in 2010, “I made a mistake.” He insisted that he never avoided this fact and had learned from his errors.
Emmer’s Fiery Tenure in the State House
His peers recognized emmer, during his six-year stint in the state House of Representatives, as a passionate leader, infamous for his heated speeches rather than the enactment of significant legislation. By his second term, he had gained the privilege of overseeing veteran legislators in a high-ranking deputy role. In 2010, Emmer confessed in a Star Tribune article that he relished public disagreements with Democrats more than the drafting of bills. His legislative focuses often sparked controversy, including advocacy for chemical castration for certain sex offenders and empowering pharmacists to refuse prescriptions on ethical grounds.
Gubernatorial Challenge
Prior to facing off against Dayton in the general election, Emmer emerged victorious over fellow Republican Marty Seifert in a contentious primary. The electoral race between Emmer and Dayton was packed with hurdles. Emmer’s controversial viewpoints and past DWI record did not escape criticism. He faced immense backlash for suggesting that tipped minimum-wage workers should endure a pay cut. The election came down to a hair’s breadth, with Dayton victorious by a mere half percentage point. Despite a recount, the outcome remained the same. Following his defeat, Emmer took a break from politics and hosted a radio talk show before embarking on his congressional campaign.
Congressional Tenure
Emmer made his political comeback in 2014 with a changed demeanor. During his campaign for the Sixth Congressional District seat, previously held by Michele Bachmann, Emmer committed to promoting politeness and serving his constituents. His efforts were rewarded with a sweeping electoral victory. In his early days of Congress, Emmer engaged with numerous Democrats and Republicans, participated in a civil rights parade alongside then-President Barack Obama, and criticized his party for obstructing Department of Homeland Security funding. His evolution from provocateur to peace-promoter was remarkable. Mirroring his state House career, Emmer climbed the GOP ladder quickly.
He headed the U.S. House Republicans’ campaign arm for two terms, aiding the party in exceeding 2020 expectations and secure a narrow majority in the subsequent year. After the 2022 midterms, Emmer clinched the role of the GOP’s House majority whip, making him the third most powerful figure in the caucus. His affiliation with Trump, however, stirred controversy among Democrats and Republicans alike, potentially costing him the speakership campaign.
Controversies Involving Trump
Trump and his team vehemently opposed Emmer’s bid for the speaker position. On Truth Social, Trump labelled Emmer a “RINO”, or “Republican in name only”, alleging Emmer’s opposition. Contrarily, Emmer was one of the few Congress members who openly supported Trump’s 2016 campaign, and backed him in the 2020 elections, even sharing stage space with Trump at Minnesota rallies. Emmer voted against Trump’s impeachment, promoted by House Democrats, and participated in a late 2020 legal pursuit to nullify over 60 of President Joe Biden’s Electoral College votes. However, following the legal attempt’s failure, Emmer endorsed Biden’s victory over Trump. Emmer condemned the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, as a violent act against the country’s values.
