On the Ballot: Minnesota House District 8A
Rep. Mark McGraw (Left) and DFL Pete Johnson (Right)
Duluthians in District 8A will choose a brand-new representative in the 2024 election to fill the district’s open seat in St. Paul.
District 8A, which covers most of West and Downtown Duluth, has had one vacant seat since July of 2024, when four-term incumbent Rep. Liz Olson (DFL) announced she was stepping down to work for a non-profit.
Two first-time candidates ran to fill Olson’s seat – both of them former first responders. The DFL will be represented by former Duluth firefighter Pete Johnson, while the Republican party will be represented by retired Minnesota State Trooper Mark McGrew.
Johnson felt confident by 9:30 on election night, based on unofficial results collected by pollwatchers.
“We have a path that we can choose to go down tonight, and hopefully we choose a path of hope and joy,” he told supporters. “That’s what our campaign ran on. That’s what folks at the doors wanted from us, and ultimately, that’s what we hope to be able to deliver.”
McGrew’s campaign, according to his website, focuses on three issues: increasing public safety, enforcing fiscal responsibility in state government, and supporting veterans.
Johnson’s website lists priorities such as access to healthcare and education, housing availability and worker’s rights.
In August of 2024, Pete Johnson beat out consultant Jordon Johnson in the DFL primary, while McGrew ran unopposed.