Olson announces he'll run again for the Legislature in District 2A

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.