Who is Ben Schierer, Amy Klobuchar's running mate?

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's pick for lieutenant governor is a former mayor from deep-red western Minnesota who has sought to bridge political divides.

Former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer, 52, adds geographic balance and local government experience to Klobuchar's gubernatorial ticket. Schierer is widely respected in DFL circles, drawing praise from progressives such as U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and more conservative Democrats like former U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson.

"He's able to keep his eye on the ball and not get drug into all of the partisan political wrangling," Peterson, who represented western Minnesota's Seventh District for three decades, said of Schierer.

As mayor, Schierer led an effort to revitalize Fergus Falls' riverfront. The project revived a downtown that at one point had more than 20 empty storefronts.

Schierer would be the first statewide official elected from western Minnesota's Seventh District in more than 50 years, according to Klobuchar's campaign. He also would be Minnesota's first male lieutenant governor since Lou Wangberg was elected in 1979.

Here's what you should know about him.

Schierer has deep roots in Fergus Falls, where he was born and lives with his wife, Tessa, and their five children. He was first elected to the Fergus Falls City Council in 2004 and was elected mayor in 2016 and again in 2020.

When he ran for mayor, Schierer said he campaigned on reviving the city's downtown corridor. The city was reeling from the closures of big-box stores such as Kmart and Target. Schierer recalled there were 24 vacant storefronts downtown and "blighted industrial sites lining the river since I was in grade school."

"People thought Fergus Falls was dying," Schierer said in an interview Monday. "And we said, ‘Nope, it's not.'"

Under Schierer's leadership, the city pulled together various sources of public funding to pay for three riverfront projects that totaled more than $13 million. Now, Fergus Falls has a downtown pavilion that hosts farmers markets and community events, a nearby splash pad and 28 acres of green space at an old dairy facility. The infrastructure investments sparked private growth, bringing more businesses to the city's downtown.

Schierer and his wife previously owned and operated two small businesses, Union Pizza & Brewing Company and TÖAST in downtown Fergus Falls. He now works with the West Central Initiative, a regional nonprofit focused on economic development.

Schierer said he and his family live a normal life. He also coaches youth sports, and his wife volunteers at their local library. Their family plays music at their church.

Schierer refers to himself as a "rural progressive." To him, that means believing that "government should make people's lives better."

"It's about making sure that no one in Minnesota is left behind, including in rural communities," he said.

It's a belief Schierer said he and Klobuchar are aligned on. He said he won elections in a red area by showing up and listening to everyone, regardless of their politics.

"You value everyone, you knock on every door," he said.

"We just don't do that in our politics enough these days."

In an increasingly polarized political climate, Peterson said Schierer has steered clear of the ideological battles consuming the two parties.

Schierer wrote a book with former Star Tribune columnist Lori Sturdevant titled, "Perpich: A Minnesota Original."

The book focuses on the former DFL governor's role in "propelling the state to the global stage," according to the Minnesota Historical Society. Perpich was the longest-serving governor in Minnesota history.

"Rudy Perpich was one of a kind," a description of the book states. "He built bridges where others saw impassible divides: between rural and urban life, labor and business interests, local politics and international trade."

Schierer said he believes Klobuchar and Perpich share many qualities, including a track record of "working with everyone to deliver results."

"They're both recognized as the hardest-working politicians of their generation," he said. "And just like Rudy, Amy has an optimism for what Minnesota can be."

He also sees overlap in their focus on statewide economic development.

"This is how we're going to move the entire state forward," Schierer said.

Klobuchar said she got to know Schierer on her annual tour of Minnesota's 87 counties. She recalled her first impression of Schierer as a mayor and father of five who owned two restaurants and had "big dreams" for Fergus Falls.

"I remember just being so impressed," Klobuchar told reporters. "There's a picture of me with his five kids and Tessa."

She praised Schierer's experience as a longtime local official focused on rural economic development: "This doer mentality and getting things done is what we need right now."

Schierer told reporters he views the opportunity as "the honor of a lifetime." He said Klobuchar's commitment to visiting all 87 counties shows that she values all parts of the state.

"The fact that she has confidence in me as a small-town mayor, as someone who's started two Main Street businesses … that means the world to me," Schierer said.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 4:07 PM.