At least 9 candidates vying for Democratic endorsement in 8th District

LINDSTROM — At least nine candidates are vying for the Democratic endorsement in the 8th Congressional District, with the latest announcing a run just last week.

Party delegates will gather May 2 in Lindstrom to endorse a challenger to incumbent Republican Rep. Pete Stauber, who is likely to be on the ballot again in November.

The 8th District stretches from Brainerd to Mahnomen to Baudette to Grand Portage, reaching down to grab the northeast exurbs of the Twin Cities.

Stauber is expected to be formally endorsed at the Republican convention Saturday, April 25, in Brainerd. Harry Welty of Duluth, who challenged Stauber in the Republican primary in 2024, is also challenging him again this year in August.

Former state Rep. Jen Schultz faced Stauber in the last two elections, losing by 16 points in 2024.

Traditionally, candidates who do not get the endorsement drop out before the primary. The winner of the August primary will have Democratic-Farmer-Labor under their name on the ballot in November. Candidates in the primary can’t have their names on the ballot if they lose.

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Emanuel "Manny" Anastos

Emanuel "Manny" Anastos is an Indian Child Welfare case manager for the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. He lives on the Lake Vermilion Reservation.

Anastos grew up in Long Island, New York, before attending Carleton College for philosophy.

His campaign website states he will prioritize universal health care, ending funding for genocides, livable wages, environmental protections and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

"I will represent the people's voice in congress and fight for what we all need and DESERVE!" Anastos states on his website.

Luke Gulbranson

Gulbranson was a latecomer, announcing his candidacy Wednesday, April 15. The reality TV star grew up in Eveleth and lives on the Iron Range.

Gulbranson is an actor, model and luxury real estate agent. He spent three seasons on Summer House, which follows a group of friends sharing a summer house in the Hamptons, and has also appeared on Selling the OC.

He said his priorities are protecting social security and Medicare, standing up for unions and workers, lowering the cost of essentials, addressing the health care crisis and leveling the playing field, according to his campaign website.

"I’m running for Congress to help the family doing math at the kitchen table and coming up short, to protect the land, the water, and the hardworking people who deserve better, to give more opportunities to the kid skating on the outdoor rink until the lights go out," Gulbranson said on his website.

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Bob Helland

Bob Helland works in the medical device industry and is a musician. He moved to Duluth in 2021. He grew up in Sauk Rapids, studied in Brainerd and St. Cloud and lived and worked in the Twin Cities.

Helland first ran for office in 2014, campaigning for secretary of state as an independent. He lost the DFL primary for the 6th District in 2016 and unsuccessfully ran for the state House in 2018.

Helland lists eight key issues on his campaign website: universal health care, tax reform, halting AI, stewarding the land, impeaching President Donald Trump, addressing fraud, keeping the powers of the purse and to declare war with Congress and ending Citizens United.

"I have had great privilege and fortune in my career," Helland states on his website. "I also feel blessed with natural talents — some say gifts — and I think that's fair to want to give back more to society now that I am able. Humanity, compassion, and intelligence are best when shared!"

Jeremiah Liend

Jeremiah Liend is the technical coordinator for performing arts at Bemidji State University. He and his family live in Turtle River.

Liend previously ran an unsuccessful race for House District 2A.

According to his campaign blog, Liend said he has three goals: fixing Citizens United by publicly funding elections, expanding impeachment powers to address presidential immunity and implementing Supreme Court term limits.

Liend described his campaign as unconventional and said he will run without spending any money.

"I am pursuing the DFL endorsement because my central goal is clear: Pete Stauber needs to be removed from office," he states. "In a moment this urgent, I do not believe it serves the district or the broader cause of justice to divide opposition to Stauber across multiple lanes if there is a viable path toward unity.

"I have run outside conventional structures before, and I still believe our political system is too often rigid, polarized, and distorted by money, institutions, and careerism. But I also believe that defeating entrenched power requires strategic choices, and at this moment I am choosing to seek the endorsement and work within the process."

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John-Paul "JP" McBride

John-Paul "JP" McBride grew up in Duluth and works at the Essentia Health Distribution Center in Esko.

McBride introduced himself and answered questions during an Indivisible virtual town hall in March.

In response to questions, he told the attendees he supports abolishing ICE, Medicare for All, amnesty for immigrants and red flag laws.

"I have new ideas. I have resolve," he said. "And I have the righteous anger to push back at the forces that are destroying our country."

Carrie Mitchell

Carrie Mitchell told the Senate District 33 convention in Mahtomedi she is a former educator who retired after a serious injury.

Mitchell said she has lived in the same small, rural community for 20 years and in what is now the 8th District for 30 years. She grew up in St. Paul.

She supports a national health care plan, clean energy production, clean water, workers and union rights, affordable housing, public education, increased competition and enforcement of industry, small farmers and "popping the balloon of expanding national debt."

"I'm running for finances that work for everyone, speaking up when the people are getting a raw deal and reclaiming our way of life," she said, "which is freedom from this corporate economic oppression, standing up and doing the right thing for everyone, rejecting lies and embracing truth."

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Dr. Wendell Smith

Dr. Wendell Smith is a general surgeon on the Iron Range. He moved to Virginia after serving in the U.S. Air Force.

Smith's platform focuses on health care, education, environment, labor and the economy, mining, government accountability, ICE and border security, and elections and democratic freedoms.

"I’m stepping up, to fight for your healthcare, your jobs, our beautiful land, to listen to your needs, and to give you the representation in Washington you deserve," Smith states on his campaign website. "Let’s work together to build a better government. A government that is of the people, by the people and for the people."

Trina Swanson

Trina Swanson grew up in Hermantown and spent 25 years in public service, working in law, foreign relations and operations for the Department of Homeland Security.

Swanson said she walked away from her career after the Trump administration asked her to carry out directives she believed were unethical and started an immigration law firm.

Her campaign website lists affordable, accessible health care; mining that protects jobs and the land; livable wages and manageable costs; and protecting the Boundary Waters as priorities.

"I’m running because too many people here feel unheard and left behind," Swanson states on her website. "Work should buy you a life with dignity. You shouldn’t go bankrupt if you get sick."

Debra Topping

Debra Topping is a Fond du Lac band member and mother, great-grandmother and water protector, according to her campaign website.

She co-founded the R.I.S.E. Coalition to oppose Line 3, is a former teaching fellow at the United Theological Seminary and was her band's elder advocate. She lives on the Fond du Lac Reservation.