Minnesota 8th Congressional Race

Edited 11/4/2024: This article was updated online to more accurately portray Rep. Stauber’s stance on healthcare by including his vote on the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

This article was originally published in the October print edition of The Bark, distributed at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus.

Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District race is a rematch from 2022 between U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber and former MN Rep. Jen Schultz. While Republicans maintain a slight 220-210 advantage over Democrats in the House, the 118th Congress is one of the least productive in the institution’s history. It is unclear which party will come out on top overall in November.

Winning the 8th District will be an uphill battle for any Democrat, as it has strongly supported President Donald Trump in recent years. Incumbent Representative Pete Stauber, a staunch Trump ally, is poised to take advantage of this.

Here are overviews of the candidates for the 8th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, including candidate bios and key policy stances. Relevant quotes (some of which have now been taken down) are from Rep. Stauber’s and former Rep. Jen Schultz’s campaign websites regarding these issues, with context following. The Bark has attempted to portray the candidates’ positions as accurately as possible.

Rep. Pete Stauber

Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives

Candidate Bio

Rep. Pete Stauber has served Minnesota’s 8th District since January 3, 2019. He is the second Republican serving the 8th District in 70 years. A former professional hockey player and police lieutenant, he defeated Joe Radinovich (D) for the 8th Congressional seat formerly held by three-term Rep. Rick Nolan (D). He lives in Hermantown, where he served on the Hermantown City Council for eight years as well as the St. Louis County Commission. From 1995-2017, he was a member of the Duluth Police Department.

Healthcare

“I support high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare which is patient-driven and physician-guided, putting individuals in charge of their healthcare rather than the government.” — Pete Stauber for Congress

In 2018, then-candidate Pete Stauber was among a small group of Republicans who supported allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. However, after being elected, he hasn’t pursued that policy.

In 2019, Rep. Stauber introduced an amendment to U.S. House Resolution 3. The amendment would significantly lower the cost of insulin at pharmacies. This amendment did not make it into the final bill.

In 2022, he voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, a budget reconciliation bill covering a wide range of subjects — including a provision for capping out-of-pocket spending on insulin.

Economy

“I support the ongoing efforts to reform our tax code which puts more money into the pockets of our families.” — Pete Stauber for Congress

A large portion of Rep. Stauber’s economic agenda has been connected to the mining industry of Northern Minnesota. His first bill as a member of Congress was U.S. House Resolution 527. This resolution directed the Department of Agriculture to accept a possible offer from PolyMet Mining Corporation Inc. that would turn over almost 6,700 acres of non-federal land in the Superior National Forest for mining. This would, in turn, create new jobs.

In reference to a tax plan, Rep. Stauber sponsored or co-sponsored over 70 pieces of legislation regarding taxes and tax reduction. He has voted against almost all tax plans presented by Democrats. Rep. Stauber’s tax resolutions can be found here.

Rep. Stauber did support U.S. House Resolution 9051, which increased the COVID-19 stimulus payments from $600 to $2000.

Energy

“We need to fight for mining our natural resources right here in the 8th district and reduce our critical mineral dependence on foreign adversaries.” — Pete Stauber for Congress

Rep. Stauber is a ranking member of The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. He has made good on his promise to support mining practices in the Iron Range. Rep. Stauber supports opening up federal lands and waters to mining and drilling for natural gas and oil. He sponsored the Superior National Forest Restoration Act, which would allow for the renewal of mining leases in the Superior National Forest. He also sponsored House Resolution 6285, which would reissue oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Both bills passed the House earlier this year, but have yet to be voted on in the Senate.

Gun Rights

“I am committed to protecting the Second Amendment which guarantees the right of individual, law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and will fight any attempts to weaken it.” — Pete Stauber for Congress

Pete Stauber is a staunch opponent of firearm regulation. In 2022, he voted against H.R. 7910, which raised the purchasing age of semiautomatic rifles to 21. That same bill tried to regulate bump stocks, a replacement gun stock that allows guns to shoot as fast as a machine gun without technically becoming an automatic weapon. He received an A- rating from the Gun Owners of America.

Former MN Rep. Jennifer Schultz

Photo courtesy of Minnesota House of Representatives

Candidate Bio

Former Minnesota Rep. Jennifer Schultz served Minnesota’s 7A district in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2015-2023. She won her first campaign for the state House with 62% of the vote. She is currently Co-Director of the Health Care Management Program & Professor of Economics at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She and her family live in Duluth, Minnesota.

Healthcare

“The rising cost of health care is one of the most important and urgent issues facing Minnesotans. … I am in favor of a single-payer system – what some call Medicare for All – that would dramatically cut down on costs associated with health insurance premiums and guarantee coverage for all Americans, regardless of income level.” — Jen Schultz for Congress

Rep. Schultz, a Professor of Health Care Economics, authored a bill in 2022 that would lower Minnesotan’s health care costs by accessing MinnesotaCare. She voted “Yes” to Minnesota H.F. 3100, which established a $35 Co-Pay for a 30-day insulin supply for diabetics. Rep. Schultz has been an ardent defender of abortion rights. She has also sponsored various bills relating to healthcare and hospital staffing.

Economy

“We need an economy that works for all of us, not just the 1%. One percent of the U.S. population owns 40% of all wealth, while 80% of the population owns only 7% of all wealth. Low-income and middle-class families are struggling. Working families are the engines of our economy. They spend their hard earned dollars, contribute to economic growth and help all of us.” — Jen Schultz for Congress

Energy

“I fully support miners and our mining industry—100%.”

“Mining contributes less than 2% to our state GDP but it has an outsized impact on the people of northeast Minnesota. For the vitality of our communities, we need to diversify our industries and employment opportunities. I will work to do this by collaborating with our regional economic development experts to leverage federal funds for unique investments.” — Jen Schultz for Congress

Rep. Schultz sponsored Minnesota H.F. 4654, which created a budget for energy and climate change needs, and established energy and climate investment funds, as well as required reports on these establishments.

While she favors mining in the 8th District, she has consistently attempted to diversify the energy economy in Minnesota.

Gun Rights

“I support common-sense measures to reduce gun violence and to keep our kids safe at school and in other public spaces. ” — Jen Schultz for Congress

Rep. Schultz consistently followed this campaign promise. She has voted for universal background checks for all firearm sales, against “stand your ground” laws in Minnesota, as well as many other gun restriction bills. She received a 0 score from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.

Vote by mail or in person begins on September 20, 2024 up to November 4, 2024. Election day is November 5, 2024. Check https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ for details on where your polling place is.