Bjorn Olson | |
---|---|
Speaker pro tempore of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
Assumed office February 6, 2025 | |
Preceded by | Dan Wolgamott |
Member of the MinnesotaHouseofRepresentatives from the 22A district | |
Assumed office January 5,2021 | |
Preceded by | Bob Gunther |
Personal details | |
Born | Fairmont,Minnesota,U.S. | January 13,1991
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Hannah |
Children | 3 |
Education | Bethel University (BA) |
Website | State House website Campaign website |
Military service | |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Unit | United States Army Reserve |
Bjorn Olson (born January 13,1991) is an American politician serving since 2021 as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and since 2025 as its speaker pro tempore. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota,Olson represents District 22A in south-central Minnesota,including the city of Fairmont and parts of Blue Earth,Faribault,Martin,and Watonwan Counties. [1] [2]
Olson was born in Fairmont,Minnesota,and attended Blue Earth High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and social studies education from Bethel University in 2013. [1]
Olson serves as a Major in the United States Army Reserve. He is a history teacher and farmer and served two terms as mayor of Elmore,Minnesota,before his election to the legislature. [3] [4]
Olson was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020 and reelected in 2022. He first ran after 13-term Republican incumbent Bob Gunther announced he would not seek reelection. Gunther endorsed Olson over his primary challenger. [5]
Olson has served as an assistant minority leader since his swearing-in,and also sits on the Taxes,Transportation Finance and Policy,and Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committees. [1]
Olson has opposed school bike safety programs due to the rural nature of his district,and opposed efforts to study commuter rail,saying it was like "throwing taxpayer dollars in a pit and lighting them on fire". [6] [7]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bjorn Olson | 2,484 | 57.34 | |
Republican | Michael Sukalski | 1,848 | 42.66 | |
Total votes | 4,332 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bjorn Olson | 14,324 | 68.45 | |
Democratic (DFL) | Patricia Fahey Bacon | 6,523 | 31.17 | |
Write-in | 80 | 0.38 | ||
Total votes | 20,927 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bjorn Olson (incumbent) | 12,238 | 69.04 | |
Democratic (DFL) | Marisa Ulmen | 5,473 | 30.88 | |
Write-in | 14 | 0.08 | ||
Total votes | 17,770 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Olson lives in Fairmont,Minnesota,with his wife,Hannah,and has three children. Hannah writes a motherhood blog called "Just Bee Blog". [3] [11] He previously resided in Elmore,Minnesota,and lived in former Vice President and U.S. Senator Walter Mondale's childhood home. [12] [13] He moved to Fairmont following 2022 legislative redistricting. [14]