Fresh15 with Blois Olson

Rep. Elect Julie Greene will represent Edina in the Minnesota House.  She previously served on the Edina School Board.

Rep.-Elect Peter Johnson is a firefighter from Duluth who will serve from District 8A.

Rep.-Elect Keith Allen will represent House District 19A.  The district includes Kenyon, Wanamingo, Fairbault and Janesville.  He previously worked for Rep. Brad Finstad, as well as farming in the district.

Rep.-Elect Kari Rehrauer defeated Steve Pape in the 2024 Minnesota general election.  She is an educator.  She won by 280 votes.

Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson is a small business owner who has served on the Washington County Board of Commissioners and the Cottage Grove City Council. He defeated Lucia Wroblewski 50% to 49% in the 2024 Minnesota General Election. 

Fmr. Republican Party Chair Chuck Slocum remembers the late Gov. Al Quie and the dynamics of his campaign in 1978. 

State Sen. Judy Seeberger is an attorney, teacher and first responder.  She represents a East Metro district that includes Hastings, Lake Elmo, Afton and surrounding commmunities.  She's pushed back in social media suggestings moderate voices are trying to influence the 2023 legislative session agenda. 

Rep. Jerry Newton explains his bill on banning sales of gas powered lawn care equipment.

Rep. Walter Hudson joins the Minnesota House after serving on the St. Michael City Council.  Hudson has been a conservative radio host and active in Republican politics for many years.  Hudson enjoys his cabin with his family, and notes that serviing on the City Council helped him gain an understanding on economic development funding and school funding that he plans to advocate for in the Minnesot...

Senator Rob Farnsworth has worked as a teacher and within the state corrections system.  He ran for the legislature twice previously but felt strongly after 2020 that the residents of the Iron Range needed new represenation.  He enjoys golf, and is an author.  He'll feels the most important issues for his district is ensuring that mining is preserved and government isn't a barrier to good jobs on...

Kupec was elected to an open Seante seat in Moorhead after working as a meteorolgist on local television station.   Kupec could be considered one of the key winners that gave the DFL the majority in the Minnesota Senate.  He wants to advocate on issues related to climate and infrastructure.

Rep. Kristi Pursell was born  in Rochester, graduated from St. Olaf College.   Before being elected she was Executive Director of Clean River Partners, a Northfield-based environmental non-profit organization.  She has a strong understanding of the issues related to agriculture and the environment.  

Bernie Perryman is a long time business leader in the St. Cloud community.  She owns a small business and has been active in economic development issues for several years, including serving on numerous community boards.  This is her first time holding public office.  

As a geneticist Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger found an interest in public policy.  She has worked at the legislature in policy roles, and this is her first elected office.  The mother of two wants to work on education and genetic privacy issues.

Attorney and Plymouth City Council member Ned Carroll wants to focus on infrastructure for the Plymouth area.   Carroll considers himself a moderate that has worked in business and with businesses in Plymouth to support economic development.

Representing a the eastern edge of Minneapolis, Rep. Samantha Sencer Mura replaces a DFL stawlwart on education issues.  She talks about how the birth of her son helped inspired her to run.  She previously ran a non profit on education and was borth and raised in Minneapolis.  

Representing her hometown of Woodbury Nicole Mitchell has traveled the world, earned a law degree and been a television meteorolgist.  The mother and foster mother is served in the National Guard and has been a storm chaser.  She's interested in working on climate issues, election issues and education while serving in the legislature.

Bloomington City Councilmember Nathan Coulter shares his interest in education and early learning as priorities for his first-term in the Minnesota legislature.  The father of two discusses the changing demographics of Minnesota's fourth largest city and how much his hometown is changing and becoming more diverse.

Leigh Finke is works in the arts and is the parent of two children.  She's also Minnesota's first transgender State Representative.  Finke discusses social justice, LGBTQ+ rights and other issues she wants to raise visibility for in her first term in St. Paul. 

Longtime political operative Isaac Schultz has worked as a District Director for Rep. Pete Stauber, and other Republicans in his career.  Now ready to represent the his hometown, this auctioneer discusses an upcoming wedding and the issues his central Minnesota district is most concerned about.

Retired police officer Jeff Witte discusses his call to public service and work in law enforcement.  As a father of three daughters, he discusses what he enjoys in his down time and what keeps him busy outside of politics.

Matt Norris is an attorney who has worked on youth issues at Youthprise, he defeated Rep. Donald Raleigh in the northern suburban district.  He cites golf as a hobby and transportation and housing as top issues he wants to work on .

St. Louis Park City Councilor Larry Craft left the business world to lead a nonprofit related to climate.   He has been a passionate advocate for the climate.  Other priorities include education funding for the married father of 2 who loves ice cream.

Rep. - Elect Josiah Hill is a teacher at Stillwater High School and a passionate music fan, including his two favorites Prince and Bob Dylan.  Hill grew up in Stillwater and attended 3 Big 10 schools on route to his degree in education.  He's married and has two kids.

Rep. Elect Kim Hicks is a disability advocate, mother and was elected in HD25A.  She works for the Dept. of Human Services, and moved to Rochester in fourth grade and never left. She has Bachelors in special education from Winona State.