Former state lawmaker Jen Schultz will again challenge U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District seat.

The University of Minnesota Duluth professor formally launched her DFL bid at a Wednesday news conference, where she was joined by Gov. Tim Walz and former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, the last Democrat to hold the 8th District seat.

“I’m running for Congress because I believe we deserve better from our leaders,” Schultz said in a statement on her campaign website. “The gridlock, the attacks on women’s healthcare and the threat to our democracy are a disgrace.

“In Congress, I will grow the economy by growing the middle class, safeguard retirement security and protect access to women’s healthcare. I have a long track record of achieving results by working across the aisle and rolling up my sleeves to get the job done. I’ll work tirelessly with Republicans, Democrats and anybody interested in building a better future for everyone in the 8th district.”

Schultz previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2015-23, covering the eastern neighborhoods of Duluth.

She first sought the congressional seat in 2022, handily winning the DFL primary before she was defeated by Stauber by a 57.2%-42.7% margin in the general election.

Schultz took to social media this week to criticize the Republican, who said he was “proud to advocate” for the $1 billion federal grant awarded to the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction project. Stauber voted against the 2021 federal infrastructure law — a key piece of legislation pushed by President Joe Biden and other Democrats that has significantly increased funding available to state and local agencies.

Walz, DFL Chairman Ken Martin and former U.S. Sen. Al Franken were among others who criticized Stauber’s statement.

“The hypocrisy is real, and we need to defeat him,” Schultz’s campaign wrote in a fundraising pitch.

Biden is scheduled to visit Superior, Wis., on Thursday to herald the reconstruction of the aging Blatnik Bridge, which connects Duluth.

Meanwhile, Stauber’s campaign blasted his opponent’s entrance into the race.

“After getting soundly rejected by Minnesota voters in 2022 in a campaign few knew even existed, Jen Schultz is doubling down on her blind adoration of Joe Biden and we look forward to once again showing Minnesotans the stark differences between Jen and Joe’s failed record that has led to a skyrocketing cost of living, and Pete’s relentless mission of fighting for our way of life,” campaign manager Johnny Eloranta said in a statement.

Stauber, a Hermantown Republican, first won election to the northeastern Minnesota seat in 2018. A retired longtime Duluth police lieutenant, he started his political career with the Hermantown City Council before joining the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners.

The 8th District was long a DFL stronghold before it saw some of the most competitive congressional elections in the country from 2010-16. But changing demographics of the Iron Range and rural areas, coupled with expanded territory through redistricting, have appeared to create more favorable conditions for Republicans in recent years.

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