Bjorn Olson

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
Constituency22A (2023-present)
23A (2021-2022)
Personal details
Born (1991-01-13) January 13, 1991
Fairmont, Minnesota
Political partyRepublican
SpouseHannah
Children2
EducationBethel University (BA)
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
UnitUnited States Army Reserve

Early life, education and career

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

Minnesota House of Representatives

Olson was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020 and was 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
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

Olson lives in Fairmont, Minnesota with his wife, Hannah, and has 2 children. Olson previously resided in Elmore, Minnesota and lived in former Vice-President and U.S. Senator Walter Mondale's childhood home.[3][11] He moved to Fairmont following 2022 legislative redistricting.[12]

References
  1. "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. 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. Woodall, Hunter (April 23, 2021). "Walter Mondale remembered as 'legend in Minnesota politics' by colleagues across spectrum". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  12. 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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