Taylor Rahm interrupts congressional campaign to work as Trump’s senior adviser in Minnesota

Republican congressional candidate Taylor Rahm will take a break from his campaign to work as a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump in Minnesota, as Trump seeks to flip the state in November and appeal to the conservative base for his victory.

Rahm’s hiring is effective immediately, and the campaign has also tapped Blake Paulson, former district representative for U.S. Rep. Tom Emmers, to serve as Trump’s national director.

The announcement follows the Trump campaign’s announcement of plans to open eight outposts following Trump’s visit to the state in May. The former president is stepping up his efforts to win the state, which he lost by just over one percentage point to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and by about 7 percentage points to Joe Biden in 2020.

Moreover, it represents a radical shift in one of the most competitive races for a seat in the state’s House of Representatives.

Rahm, a political newcomer and lawyer, won Republican support to challenge Rep. Angie Craig against former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab, who had raised significantly more money than he had.

“Tayler Rahm’s stunning victory at the county convention reflects his ability to marshal the grassroots energy needed to return President Trump to the White House,” said Brian Hughes, senior adviser to the Trump campaign, in a statement. “Tayler and Blake have incredible connections to the Republican Party base and will be of tremendous importance to President Trump as he works to deliver a historic victory in Minnesota in November.”

With Rahm out of the race, the field is clear for Teirab to face Craig and avoid a potentially chaotic primary. Plus, Rahm now has the opportunity to endorse Teirab and help him reach out to the grassroots. But despite dropping out of the race, Rahm’s name will likely still be on the primary ballot in August.

The announcement was signed off by Emmer, Trump’s state chairman, whose longtime adviser Zachary Freimark advises Teirab’s campaign team.

“Just as he did nationally, President Trump is building a professional, world-class team that is serious about winning Minnesota,” Emmer said in a statement. “As Joe Biden’s own party fights desperately to salvage his disastrous candidacy, President Trump’s ‘America First’ message resonates more today than ever with voters who remember the security and prosperity of the Trump administration.”

Minnesota hasn’t elected a Republican to the White House since 1972 or won a statewide office since 2006, but recent state-to-congressional races have been close, and Republicans are sensing an opportunity this year.

Republicans hope to exploit Democratic dissatisfaction following Biden’s poor performance in the presidential debate and the high number of undecided voters in the primaries to withdraw support from Biden.

The expansion of Trump’s campaign in Minnesota comes at a time when Democrats have increased their staff, opened field offices and installed a leadership team since March.

Recent polls suggest it could be a close race. A June Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 Minnesota poll showed Biden leading Trump 45% to 41%. Seven percent of respondents were undecided and 6% supported independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

As Rahm dropped out of the race, he particularly thanked his grassroots supporters. That base has proven influential this election cycle, boosting other anti-establishment candidates like political newcomer Steve Boyd in the 7th Congressional District, who blocked the party’s endorsement of Rep. Michelle Fischbach.

They also helped former NBA player Royce White gain Republican support in his run for Senate.

“Throughout our campaign, I have always emphasized that this election is not about me – it is about our district, our state and the entire country,” Rahm said in a statement. “I cannot express how grateful I am to all the grassroots activists and volunteers for all the work they have done to put Minnesota on the map. As a senior advisor and member of President Trump’s leadership team in Minnesota, it is an honor to support President Trump in his fight for the forgotten men and women of this country.”