28 May 2024
DULUTH — Two candidates now have entered the race to represent western Duluth in the Minnesota Legislature.
Jordon Johnson recently filed to challenge fellow Democrat Pete Johnson for the District 8A seat to be vacated at year’s end by current DFL Rep. Liz Olson, who announced in January she won’t seek a fifth term.
“I feel like my heart is in the work of being of service, of working with community members, of lifting their voices and blending their voices at the state Capitol,” Jordon Johnson said. “I have dedicated my career to advancing underrepresented communities’ health and well-being.”
For four years until February, Jordan Johnson served as co-executive director of Life House Duluth, a nonprofit organization that helps battle homelessness in the region’s youth population. He is now a consultant and national trainer focused on health equity. Johnson also serves on the board of directors for Duluth’s Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment.
Johnson, 52, said he grew up in a single-mother home and experienced housing and financial insecurity throughout his childhood in Duluth.
“I know what it’s like to live that,” he said.
Johnson became a first-generation college graduate who then earned a doctorate from the University of New Mexico.
“It wasn’t easy, but I was able to get to where I’m at, and I want to provide a path forward for other young people,” he said. “There’s a lot of wisdom in our young people, even if they’ve been struggling. They have this wisdom that often doesn’t get lifted up.
“Our young people are our future,” he said. “They will continue to make this community thrive, and that’s what I’m looking at. How do we invest in our young people’s hearts and minds, but also our single parents and others?”
Johnson self-identifies as trans and said he attempted suicide at age 17.
“That’s also part of why I decided to run: to represent not only our LGBTQ+ community, but others who are often underrepresented in decision-making positions, such as communities of color,” he said.
“I’m grounded and confident and ready to take that leadership role to the next level,” Johnson said, adding that he would be proud to serve alongside District 7B Rep. Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski, DFL-Duluth, who also identifies as trans.
Duluth Assistant Fire Chief Pete Johnson announced his candidacy for the District 8A race in January, just one week after Olson announced she was leaving office after her fourth term. As the only then-declared DFL candidate, he sought and successfully received the local party endorsement in April.
Jordon Johnson had not yet entered the race but said he still feels guided by the deep DFL values in his heart, with or without the party endorsement.
The filing period for candidates closes June 4. While no Republican candidate has yet stepped forward, Pete Johnson said, “I would be shocked if a Republican doesn’t jump into the race during this next week.”
Both Johnsons say they’re pleased voters will have a choice, even if it’s between DFLers.
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