U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber re-elected in northern Minnesota's 8th District

DULUTH — U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber defeated challenger State Rep. Jen Schultz on Tuesday, with the Republican incumbent capturing a third term in Congress representing northeastern Minnesota.

Stauber collected 57% of the votes in the high-turnout race. Schultz earned 42.7%.

On social media, Stauber called the win "a tremendous honor to once again receive an overwhelming endorsement from the voters of the 8th congressional district."

The pair faced off in the Eighth Congressional District, once a Democratic stronghold concentrated on the Iron Range and Duluth. The vast district now reaches west to Bemidji and south to Washington County, leading to more conservative victories in recent years.

Duluth resident Gene Bailey, 87, said he voted for Stauber because he "understands mining."

"And mining is a hell of an important part of this city," he said, referring to its ore docks.

Lucas Popp, a 40-year-old welding inspector in Duluth, said he voted for Schultz because of Stauber's opposition to abortion and his support of copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters.

Stauber, a retired police officer and Hermantown resident who flipped the seat from Democratic control in 2018, won by nearly 20 percentage points in 2020. His campaign has focused on deterring crime and attacking President Joe Biden for inflation and energy costs.

Schultz, a University of Minnesota Duluth economics professor and state legislator for eastern Duluth since 2015, has campaigned on abortion access and economic issues. She's called out Stauber's votes against a number of bills that brought money to the district, and his opposition to abortion. While Stauber led in campaign money, Schultz earned endorsements from key labor groups.

In a statement Wednesday, Schultz said she was optimistic about the future of the district.

"After traveling over 30,000 miles across the district to meet with as many communities as possible, it was clear that the 8th is full of hard working and decent people who are committed to the Northland and to supporting each other," she said. "I will continue to fight for common sense, common ground solutions for our district because we all deserve to live a life where everyone can thrive."