More candidates announce run for MN Senate District 6
DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - More candidates are announcing their run for the now-open Minnesota Senate District 6 seat.
The senate seat, which serves parts of Itasca, Cass and Crow Wing Counties, is vacant after the now-former Republican State Sen. Justin Eichorn resigned after being federally charged for allegedly soliciting a minor for sex.
Following the resignation, candidates have been announcing their run for the seat, including two new candidates this week.
Among them is Jennifer Carnahan, Nisswa’s current mayor who is also a business owner.
“It’s time for a government that works for the people, by the people, and with the people,” Carnahan wrote in her announcement.
Carnahan served as the Minnesota GOP chair but resigned in 2021 after prominent Republican fundraiser Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, who she had close ties with, was charged with sex trafficking.
Carnahan is also the widow of former U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn who died in 2022 from kidney cancer.
RELATED: Wife of late congressman Jim Hagedorn running for his seat
Dr. John Howe also announced his campaign Monday in a press release. Howe, a Grand Rapids resident, is a businessman and veterinarian.
“I want to be a part of restoring the values we all cherish,” Howe wrote. “I support parental rights, the right to keep and bear arms, lower taxes, transparency in government, restoring and supporting mining and the sanctity of life.”
Howe and Carnahan join other candidates vying for the senate seat.
Howe has lived in the Northland for over 40 years and said the connections he’s made as a veterinarian help him to have a deep understanding of the area.
He said despite never being elected to public office, he does not lack political experience.
“I’ve met with several U.S. Congress people over the years,” said Howe. “I think some of my priorities are government mandates and overreach that I think have changed so many of our lives, including our freedoms.”
Howe said if elected, his priorities would be supporting mining, forestry and expanding the electrical power grid in Northern Minnesota.
He said Minnesota schools and communities have been negatively affected by mandates coming from St. Paul.
RELATED: Two candidates announce candidacy for the vacant District 6 seat
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