In 2026, voters will elect someone to serve as State Represenative for District 32b. The candidates are:
LESLIE LARSON (R)
About:
I am a Blaine City Councilmember, small business owner, and proud mom of five. I understand the challenges families face every day, and I know how important it is to have leaders who listen, work hard, and put families first. I have lived in Blaine for 20 years. This community is where I have built my family, my business, and my record of service. I am committed to making Minnesota a place where families can afford to live, work, and raise a family.
Important Issues:
Fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars are frustrations shared by many. Fraud is not a victimless crime. When taxpayer dollars intended for health and human services are lost to fraud, the people who rely on those programs suffer. Minnesota needs stronger oversight, greater accountability, and better safeguards to ensure tax dollars are being used for their intended purposes.
Affordability is a major concern. Minnesota is one of the highest-taxed states in the country, and high taxes and rising costs hit working families, seniors, and small businesses especially hard. Our gas tax continues to increase, and vehicle registration fees are significantly higher than neighboring Wisconsin’s $85 standard fee. Minnesota should provide meaningful tax relief, including eliminating the tax on Social Security. Families, seniors, and small businesses deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Education is a top priority for me. I am concerned about the amount of time students spend on electronic devices during the school day and whether technology is contributing to better learning. Minnesota should make sure increased education funding is reaching classrooms, supporting teachers, and helping reduce class sizes. Our focus should always be on giving students the skills and support they need to succeed.
Goals if Elected:
I’m running for the Minnesota House because we need representatives with family-first values who focus on real results for our communities. I’ll bring a mom’s common sense, a small business owner’s accountability, and a council member’s experience to the Legislature. I’m ready to serve with integrity and fight for safe communities, strong schools, economic opportunity, and a government that earns your trust.
Endorsements:
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
Minnesota Farm Bureau
Minnesota Health and Parental Rights
Minnesota Peace and Police Officers Association
National Federation of Independent Business
Women Lead
Connect with Me:
Web: www.leslielarsonformn.com
Candidate Interview:
MATT NORRIS (DFL)
About:
I was born and raised here in the north metro and am a proud Blaine resident. Two decades ago, I launched my career by spearheading an effort that reduced violent crime in my hometown by 40%. After earning my business degree and law degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, I spent most of my career working in the nonprofit sector. I worked for the Step Up internship program where I created hundreds of paid, professional internships for low-income high school students every summer. And just before getting elected to the Minnesota House, I served as the Policy Director at a statewide nonprofit for youth where I worked productively with Democrats and Republicans to pass several bills with bipartisan support.
After being elected to the Minnesota House in 2022, I hit the ground running by securing $102.75 million to fully fund the Highway 65 redesign, authoring $300 million in public safety aid for cities and counties, passing two property tax cuts, and authoring two leading anti-fraud bills that became law. I’m also proud that I was able to be a productive legislator while having about two-thirds of my bills supported by both Democrats and Republicans.
Important Issues:
1. Making Life More Affordable
I want to put more power in the hands of Minnesotans, not billionaires, by making health care, child care, and senior care more affordable and accessible. We must also make sure the workers in these industries can earn a living wage.
2. Reducing Property Taxes
Home property taxes have gotten out of control. I’m leading an effort to reform Minnesota’s property tax system to work better for homeowners and small businesses.
3. Producing Real Results from Government
I will build on my anti-fraud work to push for a top-to-bottom audit of state government and pass a bill to measure the results of new spending to make sure your tax dollars are spent wisely.
4. Standing Up for Minnesotans
I will stand up for Minnesotans against Washington, D.C., whether it’s masked agents violating constitutional rights or politicians slashing healthcare to give tax cuts to giant corporations.
Goals if Elected:
My campaign is about “building bridges and getting results” because I think voters want leaders who can bring together people from different backgrounds to get things done. I’m committed to listening to you, the voters of Blaine and Lexington, to respond to the issues most important to you. In my first term, I made finally fixing Highway 65 a priority, and delivered by securing $103 million to fully fund the project. In my second term, I focused on rooting out the fraud that has targeted our public programs in Minnesota and delivered again by becoming the chief author of the two leading anti-fraud bills that became law. Now, it’s time to deliver on affordability for Minnesotans. I want to do that by reducing the cost of “The Three Cares”—health care, child care, and senior care, reforming our property tax system, and lowering housing costs.
Endorsements:
AFL-CIO
AFSCME
Clean Water Action
Climate Cabinet
Committee to Protect Health Care
Conservation Minnesota
DFL Environmental Caucus
DFL Senior Caucus
Education Minnesota
Friends of the Boundary Waters Action Fund
Humane World Action Fund
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Union of Operating Engineers – Local 49
LiUNA
MAPE
Minnesota Farmers Union Political Action Committee
Minnesota Nurses Association
Minnesota Pipe Trades Association
National Association of Social Workers – Minnesota
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
OutFront Minnesota
Planned Parenthood
Pro-Choice Minnesota
Save the Boundary Waters Action Fund
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) State Council
Sierra Club
Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE
UFCW Local 1189
Connect with Me:
Website: www.votefornorris.com
Email: matt@votefornorris.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNforMN
X: @mnfrommn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norrisforminnesota/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE432qM2-8f4KLMNOwuodGQ
