District 8
Pete Stauber (R), District 8
Occupation & Background: U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District (2019–present). Former St. Louis County Commissioner (2013–2019), retired Duluth police lieutenant, and former professional hockey player. Earned a bachelor's degree in Criminology from Lake Superior State University. Age: 60. Accomplishments: Serving his fourth term in Congress. Chairs the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and serves on the House Small Business Committee. Previously served as a Duluth police officer for more than 20 years and was elected to the St. Louis County Board before winning a seat in Congress. Has focused on mining, energy, veterans, forestry, and public safety issues affecting northern Minnesota. Economic Justice: Supports lowering taxes, reducing federal spending, balancing the budget, reducing regulations on businesses, expanding domestic mining and manufacturing, and strengthening the timber and mining industries. Advocates increasing American energy production and supporting small businesses and family-owned operations. Climate: Supports responsible conservation while opposing federal regulations he believes hurt mining, forestry, and energy production. Favors an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy that includes domestic mining, oil, natural gas, biofuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy developed through private-sector innovation. Healthcare: Supports market-based healthcare reforms that increase competition, improve price transparency, expand patient choice, and protect rural healthcare access. Opposes government-run healthcare systems and supports reducing healthcare costs through private-sector solutions. Housing: Supports reducing federal regulations that increase housing costs, encouraging private-sector housing development, strengthening rural communities, and improving affordability through economic growth and lower inflation. Criminal Justice / Policing: Strong supporter of law enforcement and public safety. Supports increased funding for police, stronger penalties for violent crime, combating drug trafficking and human trafficking, and providing law enforcement with the resources needed to protect communities. Opposes efforts to defund police departments. Immigration: Supports securing the southern border through stronger enforcement, increased border security resources, and stricter enforcement of immigration laws. Favors legal immigration while prioritizing national security and preventing illegal immigration.
Trina Swanson (D), District 8
Occupation & Background: Immigration attorney, former Director of International Operations for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and longtime federal public servant. Grew up in Hermantown, Minnesota, and spent more than 25 years working in immigration and national security under both Republican and Democratic administrations before returning to northern Minnesota to open a private immigration law practice. DFL-endorsed candidate for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. Age: 49. Accomplishments: Served in senior leadership roles at USCIS, including Director of International Operations, overseeing immigration programs in multiple countries. Received two Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards for leadership and public service. Founded an immigration law firm in Duluth after leaving federal service. Earned the DFL endorsement for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. Economic Justice: Supports lowering costs for working families, strengthening unions, protecting Social Security and Medicare, investing in infrastructure, and expanding economic opportunities throughout northern Minnesota. Advocates supporting small businesses, protecting mining and manufacturing jobs while encouraging responsible economic development, and ensuring tax fairness. Climate: Supports protecting Minnesota's natural resources while promoting responsible mining, clean energy development, and conservation. Advocates investing in renewable energy, protecting clean water, and creating jobs through environmental restoration and sustainable economic growth. Healthcare: Supports protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs, defending Medicare and Medicaid, expanding mental health services, and improving access to affordable healthcare in rural communities. Housing: Supports expanding affordable housing, increasing first-time homebuyer opportunities, addressing housing shortages in northern Minnesota, and investing in workforce housing to support local communities and economic growth. Criminal Justice / Policing: Supports fully funding law enforcement while strengthening community policing, improving mental health and addiction services, and increasing resources to combat violent crime, human trafficking, and the opioid crisis. Draws on decades of experience working in federal law enforcement and immigration systems. Immigration: Supports comprehensive immigration reform that strengthens border security while modernizing the legal immigration system. Advocates for efficient legal immigration processes, protecting Dreamers, improving visa processing, and creating practical pathways for employers to fill workforce shortages while maintaining national security.
