Bjorn Olson (born January 13, 1991) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2021. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Olson represents District 22A in south-central Minnesota, including the city of Fairmont and parts of Blue Earth, Faribault, Martin, and Watonwan Counties.[1][2]

Bjorn Olson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 22A district
Assumed office
January 5, 2021
Preceded byBob Gunther
Personal details
Born (1991-01-13) January 13, 1991 (age 33)
Fairmont, Minnesota
Political partyRepublican
SpouseHannah
Children3
EducationBethel University (BA)
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
UnitUnited States Army Reserve

Early life, education and career

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Olson was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, and attended Blue Earth High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and social studies education from Bethel University in 2013.[1]

Olson serves as a Major in the United States Army Reserve. He is a history teacher and farmer and served two terms as mayor of Elmore, Minnesota, before his election to the legislature.[3][4]

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Olson was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020 and reelected in 2022. He first ran after 13-term Republican incumbent Bob Gunther announced he would not seek reelection. Gunther endorsed Olson over his primary challenger.[5]

Olson has served as an assistant minority leader since his swearing-in, and also sits on the Taxes, Transportation Finance and Policy, and Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committees.[1]

Olson has opposed school bike safety programs due to the rural nature of his district, and opposed efforts to study commuter rail, saying it was like "throwing taxpayer dollars in a pit and lighting them on fire".[6][7]

Electoral history

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2020 Republican Primary for Minnesota State House - District 23A[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bjorn Olson 2,484 57.34
Republican Michael Sukalski 1,848 42.66
Total votes 4,332 100.0
2020 Minnesota State House - District 23A[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bjorn Olson 14,324 68.45
Democratic (DFL) Patricia Fahey Bacon 6,523 31.17
Write-in 80 0.38
Total votes 20,927 100.0
Republican hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 22A[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bjorn Olson (incumbent) 12,238 69.04
Democratic (DFL) Marisa Ulmen 5,473 30.88
Write-in 14 0.08
Total votes 17,770 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

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Olson lives in Fairmont, Minnesota, with his wife, Hannah, and has three children. Hannah writes a motherhood blog called "Just Bee Blog".[3][11] He previously resided in Elmore, Minnesota, and lived in former Vice President and U.S. Senator Walter Mondale's childhood home.[12][13] He moved to Fairmont following 2022 legislative redistricting.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Olson, Bjorn - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  2. ^ "Rep. Bjorn Olson (22A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  3. ^ a b Condon, Patrick (April 24, 2021). "Minnesota Republican politician has unusual link to Walter Mondale". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  4. ^ Pugmire, Tim (June 18, 2021). "As shutdown looms, Capitol action drags". MPR News. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  5. ^ Smith, Lee (August 12, 2020). "Primary election: Olson defeats Sukalski". fairmontsentinel.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  6. ^ Callaghan, Peter (2023-02-08). "Minnesota bill with 'Idaho Stop,' bike safety named for the late Bill Dooley". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  7. ^ Moore, Janet (February 10, 2023). "Lawmakers seek to lift gag order on commuter rail between Minneapolis, Northfield". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  8. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 23A Primary". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 23A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  10. ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 22A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Olson, Hannah (July 7, 2024). "Just Bee Blog "About" Page". Just Bee Blog. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Woodall, Hunter (April 23, 2021). "Walter Mondale remembered as 'legend in Minnesota politics' by colleagues across spectrum". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  14. ^ Bakst, Brian (February 17, 2022). "Move or move on? New districts put some incumbents in tough spot". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
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