Farnsworth announces run for another term representing Iron Range

HIBBING — State Sen. Robert Farnsworth announced his intention to seek a second term for District 7.

The district represents most of the Iron Range, including portions of St. Louis, Itasca and Aitkin counties.

“I’m concerned about the lack of growth and opportunity for the next generation,” he stated in a news release. “We have strong communities and great schools, but as outside activists work to shut down mining, the next generation will struggle to make a living on the Range.

"I have fought to bring Northland values and priorities to St. Paul, and I’m ready to keep fighting for our way of life.”

Farnsworth, a licensed teacher and real estate agent with deep ties to the Iron Range, serves on the Higher Education Committee, the Education Finance Committee and the Transportation Committee. He also serves as chair of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

The Hibbing Republican was first elected in 2022, and stated in a news release that his priorities include oversight and accountability measures to address fraud, lowering the cost of living and supporting mining and job creation.

“Families are already crushed by the high cost of living and needed relief but they didn’t get it,” he stated, referencing the 2023 $18 billion state surplus. “On top of that, we continue to see troubling examples of waste, fraud and mismanagement costing us billions of dollars while taxes and the cost of government rise. Minnesotans deserve better than a blind eye to fraud and runaway spending.”

Farnsworth is the first candidate announced in this state senate race, with the Senate District 7 DFL party set to host a convention April 25 in Floodwood.