Michele Tafoya

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Says Washington needs people who will "ask tough questions and demand competence," and that she will work to restore accountability and public trust.[1]
• Makes fraud in state-funded programs a central theme, calling for tougher federal penalties and deportation of immigrants convicted of fraud.[2],[3]
• Describes herself as an independent thinker who will not answer to party leadership, special interests or lobbyists, and says she wants to appeal to Republicans, independents and Democrats.[3]
• Says families are stretched thin and pledges to oppose any tax increase on the middle class.[1],[2]

Background

• Political commentator and freelance reporter, Self-employed · 2022–present[4]
• Co-chair, Kendall Qualls for Governor campaign · 2022[4]
• Sideline reporter, Sunday Night Football, NBC Sports · 2011–2022[4],[5]
• Morning show co-host, KQRS radio (Minneapolis) · 2016–2020[4]
• Reporter, including Monday Night Football sideline reporter, ESPN and ABC Sports · 2000–2011[4]
• Reporter and host, CBS Sports · 1994–1999[4]

Education

• B.A. in mass communications, University of California, Berkeley (1988)[4]
• M.B.A., University of Southern California (1991)[4]

Where they stand

• Public Safety
  Supports more funding, equipment and training for law enforcement and opposes efforts to remove officers' legal protections. Supports tougher federal mandatory minimum sentences for fraud and withholding federal funding from states that do not adopt anti-fraud controls.[2]
• Immigration
  Supports deporting immigrants in the country illegally who commit crimes, opposes efforts to abolish ICE, and supports legislation to deport immigrants convicted of fraud.[2]
• Taxes
  Opposes repealing the 2025 federal tax cuts and any tax increase on the middle class, and says Congress should spend, borrow and tax less.[2]
• Elections & Democracy
  Supports voter ID, paper ballots and the SAVE Act.[2]
• Health Care
  Says she will take on insurers, middlemen and price-gougers, cut prescription drug costs, and keep health care decisions with patients rather than government or corporate bureaucrats.[2]
• Foreign Policy
  Says Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, while opposing a prolonged conflict with ground troops. Says the U.S. should push back on China's influence, particularly in South America.[3],[6]
• Agriculture
  Says Minnesota needs a new farm bill and supports changes to SNAP.[3]
• Abortion
  In a 2015 interview, described herself as "a pro-choice conservative." Her 2026 campaign issues page does not address abortion.[7],[2]

Voting record

Michele Tafoya has not held an office with a recorded voting record. See Background and Where they stand.

In their words