Politics & Government
Matt Birk Trolls Twitter Followers, Says He Will Meet With 'Walz'
The wacky tweet comes after the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor promised to turn his campaigning "up to 11."
TWIN CITIES, MN — Matt Birk, the former Minnesota Viking and current Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, has promised to meet with "Walz" on Friday morning.
Birk announced the meeting over Twitter late Thursday night.
Things have gotten pretty heated as of late. So, I decided to be the bigger man- I reached out to Walz. He agreed to meet with me tomorrow morning. Hoping we can find common ground and move forward. Stay tuned.
— Matt Birk (@BirkMatt) September 9, 2022
However, it does not appear that Birk is meeting with Gov. Tim Walz or Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Find out what's happening in Eaganfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Instead, he is meeting with former Minnesota Wild player Wes Walz, according to Minnesota Public Radio reporter Brian Bakst.
Former Republican campaign strategist Michael Brodkob — who has been critical of Birk and his running mate, Scott Jensen — was not amused and suggested that Birk take a break from Twitter.
Find out what's happening in Eaganfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This is the second time this week that @BirkMatt has sent a bizarre late-night tweet. Birk’s erratic social media behavior is hurting his campaign, and it’s damaging Birk’s credibility. Birk should take a break from social media and recalibrate his role as a candidate. #mngov https://t.co/Bqtumqkn8D
— Michael Brodkorb (@mbrodkorb) September 9, 2022
Birk and Brodkob have a recent history together, and it's not a positive one.
The Republican campaign for governor has been marred by controversial statements, including a comment from Jensen comparing COVID-19 lockdown measures to the Holocaust. Birk's anti-abortion "rape card" comment also drew criticism.
"If I hear any more of this Holocaust stuff, I'll never talk to you again," conservative newspaper columnist Joe Soucheray told Jensen last week in an interview. "That was utter embarrassing BS. I don't stand for it. I can't take it."
Soucheray then directed his focus to Birk, saying; "I've got news for you. Women don't intend to stay barefoot and pregnant."
Meanwhile, Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are running a relatively quiet campaign.
The analysts at the Cook Political Report say Minnesota's race for governor is "likely" to go to Democrats on Election Day.
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