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DULUTH, MN -- After Tuesday night’s primary election, both candidates for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional district are ready to face off in the November midterm elections.
Incumbent Republican Pete Stauber, who currently represents the 8th district in Washington will face Democratic Candidate Jen Schultz, who currently represents District 7A in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Wednesday, Rep. Stauber came out of the primaries strong, announcing an endorsement from International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49.
“[We’re] very proud of that endorsement. We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Congressman Stauber… we’re proud to consider him a friend and we’re proud of this endorsement,” said Jason George, business manager for the union.
Stauber reiterated the important role the union plays in mining, an industry he believes will play a huge part in the upcoming campaign.
“These are hardworking, blue-collar people that understand that I’m fighting for our way of life,” Stauber said.
Stauber reiterated the importance of copper-nickel mining initiatives.
“Those minerals have to be mined to strategically secure our national security,” he said.
The topic of copper-nickel mining has been a controversial one, as Democrats have raised concerns over mining proposals from companies like Twin Metals and Polymet.
Still, Rep. Schultz made it clear she’d support copper-nickel proposals if the companies could ensure a clean mining process.
“I’m a big believer in technology and science. I think it can do amazing things. But we need that federal investment so they can scale up that technology,” she said.
Aside from mining, Stauber’s main focus, this election season is on jobs and the economy.
“I’ve been out door knocking throughout the district... they’re talking about inflation, the cost of gas, the cost of groceries, the cost of raising a family,” he said.
Schultz, however, believes Stauber’s voting record goes against those very ideas.
“The average person and the aid that they want is something different and they don’t want someone who’s extremist and spewing lies to divide the families in our communities,” she said, “I think this district is very flippable and I’m very optimistic that we’re going to win in November”