Minnesota Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michele Tafoya just got a unique and meaningful endorsement this week ahead of the primary election, and it comes from a familiar name in these pages... much beloved singer-songwriter and friend-of-RedState, John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting). His thoughts were among the hot takes we shared around Super Bowl time, readers may recall, over the Bad Bunny halftime show controversy. More on his musical endorsement in a minute.
Tafoya has not stayed quiet about the chaos progressive Democrats in power have caused in her home state, even before deciding to seek elected office. As I wrote in Jan. when the former professional sports journalist announced her campaign for the Senate, she said in an interivew with Riley Gaines that she believes she can win, and that MN is "fixable" with the right Republican in the seat:
Michele Tafoya agreed that her state is suffering from nothing short of a "crisis of leadership," but she struck a hopeful tone, saying that she would not have run "if I thought the state was too far gone."
"We just have had this constant string of career politicians," she explained," like our governor, Tim Walz, running things - frankly, running them into the ground - and it is not going to be these career politicians that (sic) clean things up."
"Some of us have to step up and clean up this mess," she added, saying she's "lived in Minnesota for over 30 years. I've raised my family here, and I can remember the Minnesota" that was safe and had good schools. But, Tafoya said, "we have gone backwards."
In the new video endorsement (find below), Ondrasik made it melodic, sitting at a piano and tickling the ivories, while weaving in some lyrics many millions have sung along to - at his concerts and in their cars - over the years. (Although, not quite 100 years... hiint, hint.)
But the artist explained that he and his band "broke out" after starting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so he feels a special relationship with the "wonderful people and your wonderful state." He even namechecks some famed venues, including the Fine Line bar, and Prince's former club, First Avenue, which are both nestled in downtown Minneapolis. [Personal note: I briefly lived in or near the Cities, so places like that are magical in my memories.] Even after Five for Fighting left for wider horizons, the musician said, the band "often starts our tours - and many times - end our tours" there.
He then shared why he felt it was important to support Tafoya now.
He said:
Of course, like so many, that's why I have been heartbroken, saddened, to see the moral collapse of so much of your leadership, the rampant fraud that's been occuring, the rioting....that is not who you are.
That's why I was so excited to see that Michele Tafoya was running for Senate in your great state.
Now, we all love Michele, us sports fans but, of course, she's very wise, she's very smart. She's very kind, like folks in Minnesota are.
She's tough, she has common sense and most importantly, she can win!
Ondrasik closed by thanking Tafoya for running, saying "the whole nation" needs her in the U.S. Senate. And the melodies flow in again from the hitmaker's tune.
He has been a solid conservative voice, even releasing an original song in Jan. 2024, "OK," in hopes of reminding everyone of the horrific Hamas terror attack in 2023, as my colleague Jerry Wilson wrote.
The singer also, as RedState's Rusty Weiss wrote, reworked a lyric from massive 1990s hit "Superman (It’s Not Easy)," and re-released it in honor of the Israelis that Hamas terrorists took hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. RedState spoke with the songwriter about the heartwrenching collaboration with a hostage's family members.
Read More: Five for Fighting's 'OK' a Chilling, Powerful Reminder of the Horror of Hamas' Attack on Israel
May They Be Home Soon: John Ondrasik Discusses Moving 'Superman' Version Supporting Israeli Hostages
Tafoya also earned another special endorsement recently from a longtime friend/former colleague from the sports world, iconic NFL coach and broadcaster, Tony Dungy:
Honored to have the endorsement of a man I’ve known for over 30 years. Thank you, Coach Dungy! I’m grateful to have you on my team. https://t.co/qTOOrTCdVL
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) May 26, 2026
Like john Ondasik, Dungy has a deep connection to the Gopher state, spending many years there during his college career as an athlete, then as a pro-level coach:
Dungy lives in Florida, but he played quarterback at the University of Minnesota and after an NFL career as a defensive back, he served as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator from 1992 through the 1995 season. He used that job with the Vikings as a springboard to become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996.
Tafoya thanked Ondrasik in an X post sharing his endorsement video on Thursday, enthusing that he knows "we can win!"
Watch:
.@johnondrasik and Five for Fighting are icons in Minnesota.
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) June 4, 2026
He knows our state, knows our people, and knows we can win.
I am honored to have your support, John!
Let’s get the job done. pic.twitter.com/lbvetx6ERU
Now for the music nerds: Ondrasik talked about the way the hit song, "100 Years," came about in a 2021 interview, explaining that it had to do with his starting a family. In case you would like to show support for Ondrasik, he and Five for Fighting are currently on tour across the U.S.
Here's the original version of the song, in case you are not familiar with it - or just want to enjoy it again.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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