Republican candidate and political newcomer Dr. Jonathan Claussen will soon serve in the Minnesota House for the first time.
Claussen defeated DFLer Maggie Evers to represent state House District 5B. The seat is open as current 5B Rep. Mike Wiener successfully challenged Sen. Paul Utke in the Senate District 5 primary race.
Claussen, 56, of Staples, recently retired as a family physician from Lakewood Health System in Staples. He is also the president of goFam Ministries, an author and podcaster of the podcast Famology.
Evers of Burtrum is also a political newcomer. She is a self-employed outpatient psychotherapist.
State House District 5B includes portions of Cass, Morrison and Wadena counties, and all of Todd County. The district includes the cities of Motley, Pillager, Sebeka, Staples and Wadena.
Claussen will begin his two-year term in January.
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