BEMIDJI — Reed Olson of Bemidji announced he will run for office again in 2026.
The executive director of the Nameless Coalition for the Homeless and former Beltrami County commissioner posted a video on social media, saying he will seek to represent District 2A.
"A lot of us are feeling the squeeze," Olson said in the video. "Almost every family in north-central Minnesota is feeling pressure, either from the rising cost of housing, the insane increase in insurance premiums that so many of us are facing, or just a struggle for you or your family to access mental health care or child care."
The race could be a rematch between Olson, 50, a DFLer, and state Rep. Bidal Duran, 40, a Republican, if Duran announces his own reelection bid.
The two faced off for the open seat in 2024 after the retirement of former Republican Rep. Matt Grossell.
While Duran was victorious, the race represented one of the smallest margins of victory for a Republican in a state house race in northern Minnesota. Duran garnered 51.7% of the vote, while Olson came up just short of 48%.
Olson said he believes affordability is more than just a buzz word.
"It’s time to put affordability and access to quality care at the center of the work that we do," he said.
The 2026 election will see all Minnesota House seats on the ballot.
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Lorie Shaull/KAXEAircraft play an essential role in fighting wildfires. Seaplanes from the Ely seaplane base drop water, fire retardant and deliver firefighters — and canoes — to the blazes. -
Contributed/Grand Rapids City CouncilTax increment financing is meant to encourage economic development. Per Minnesota regulations, 20% of units in a TIF rental property must be reserved for low-income housing. -
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Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe delayed Forest Service grants would have supported prescribed burns and other fuel-reduction efforts on thousands of acres near the Echo Trail, which has borne the brunt of this year’s fires. -
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Canva illustrationResponders used a winch line on a fire truck to pull the car from the water and found the woman later identified as Kaylee Smith inside. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe walk on July 25, 2026, spanned 13 miles from Big Sandy Lake in McGregor to Tamarack, with women taking turns carrying a bucket of water. -
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Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe Superior National Forest announced the July 31, 2026, openings as Phase 3 of its reopening of the BWCAW, as well as the opening of recreation sites in the western forest.
