Paul Wikstrom

According to his Ballotpedia survey, Paul Wikstrom grew up in Montana and North Dakota, graduated from Dickinson High School, and moved to Minnesota as a young adult.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and a graduate degree from the University of St. Thomas.[1] He says he worked in seismic exploration, road construction and farming before becoming an engineer, and he currently works as an engineering manager.[1] He also says he is a certified flight instructor and active pilot who has flown medical volunteer missions, and that he coached youth soccer for more than 10 years.[1]

Wikstrom says he has been a Republican grassroots leader for more than 25 years, convening caucuses, chairing conventions and supporting campaigns, and that he contested a candidate's eligibility in 2024.[1] He lost the March 11, 2025 special general election for Minnesota House District 40B to David Gottfried (D), 70.2%-29.8%.[1] He has been married 30 years and raised three children in Shoreview, Minnesota.[1] During the campaign, he said he was running on stopping government fraud, affordability and jobs.[1] Wikstrom received 26.8% of the vote to Betty McCollum's 73.1%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[2]