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Wikstrom's Life of Service
Why He's Running
Paul grew up in Montana and North Dakota before moving to Minnesota as a young adult. He held jobs in seismic exploration, road construction and farming, working toward getting an engineering degree from the University of Minnesota. He learned the value of a day's work and the heavy toll of a long shift, working outdoors year-round. He understands that the true heart of our country isn't found in corporate boardrooms - it's found on the shop floors, in the rigs, and on the job sites where hard-working Americans clock in every single day. His experiences have shaped his priorities as a candidate: protecting jobs, cutting the red tape that stifles our local industries, and making sure that hard working Americans keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.
He and his wife Liz have been married for 30 years and raised three children in Shoreview.
Beyond his professional career, Wikstrom has dedicated himself to community service:
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Certified flight instructor and active pilot
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Medical volunteer missions — flying to serve those in need
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Youth soccer coach for over 10 years
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Assisting neighbors
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Republican grassroots and leader for 25+ years — convening caucuses, chairing conventions, and supporting campaigns
After 25 years, Betty McCollum has become a rubber stamp for the failed policies coming out of Washington. She writes the checks as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee — and when $9 billion was stolen in COVID fraud, she said nothing. When Tim Walz’s administration let it happen, she praised his “effective leadership.”
Minnesota deserves better. Wikstrom will bring the same accountability, problem-solving, and purposeful approach to Congress that he’s brought to everything he does.
"I’m not a politician. I’m an engineer. When something’s broken, you fix it. You don’t make excuses. You don’t blame someone else. You roll up your sleeves and get to work.” — P. C. Wikstrom
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