Rep. Erik Simonson Officially Announces Senate Run

State Representative Erik Simonson has officially announced he will be running for Minnesota Senate District 7. 

The move follows an announcement from Senator Roger Reinert that he will not seek reelection this year. 

In a statement released Tuesday, Simonson said he has enjoyed the opportunity of representing central and western Duluth in the Minnesota House of Representatives, but that “it is even more important that we maintain as much seniority going forward in both the House and Senate as possible.”

Simonson has served two terms in the House.  

Simonson chief authored the original border to border broadband bill, and passed the first broadband grant program designed to facilitate public-private partnerships and leverage maximum private investments. 

In 2014, he authored a bill to prevent the retail sales of harmful synthetic drugs, preventing another headshop like Last Place on earth in any other community in Minnesota. 

Simonson was part of the legislative team in 2014 that secured state funding for various projects in Duluth such as Wade Stadium and Spirit Mountain. 

He says he looks forward to a “robust campaign” and will continue to be a strong advocate for Duluth, labor, business and all classes in the city.