Scott Jensen Announces Phouthaivanh Wilkerson as Lieutenant Governor Running Mate
ST. PAUL, MN — Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen today announced Phouthaivanh Wilkerson as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor, calling her story “the living embodiment of Minnesota’s founding spirit—faith, freedom, hard work, and service.”
“Minnesota was built by people who came here seeking freedom,” Jensen said. “People who worked hard, raised families, and gave back to their communities. That Minnesota spirit lives and breathes in my choice for Lieutenant Governor. With great pleasure, I introduce Phouthaivanh Wilkerson.”
Wilkerson’s life story reflects a journey from tyranny to liberty. Her father was executed for resisting communism. As a child, her family fled Laos, crossing the Mekong River in search of freedom, and endured a refugee camp in Thailand before being resettled in Minnesota.
“Minnesota proved to be far more than just a place,” Wilkerson said. “The North Star State became a promise—a promise of a better tomorrow, filled with hope and possibility.”
Raised by a mother who worked three jobs to support her family, Wilkerson learned early that freedom is never guaranteed and must be defended. Today, she is a first-generation immigrant, a wife, a mother of four, a business owner, and a police officer.
Wilkerson has spent her 30-year law enforcement career protecting families, standing up for victims, building trust in communities, and putting her life on the line in service to others. As a sheriff deputy her roles have included patrol, court security, and crisis negotiator. Currently, she is a sergeant focusing on recruitment and public engagement.
“When I heard Scott Jensen say, ‘Minnesota is for families who want to build it, and America is for Americans who want to love it,’ I heard my family’s story,” Wilkerson said. “I heard my story. I reviewed the candidates, and I reached out to Scott because it was time to stand up and step into the arena.”
Jensen said the Jensen–Wilkerson ticket represents a clear choice for Minnesota voters. “Together, we will protect freedom, put families first, and make Minnesota safe and strong.”
Wilkerson echoed that commitment: “I am honored to stand with Scott Jensen to serve the great state of Minnesota. I know why I love Minnesota—because Minnesota is for those who want to build it.”
