Liz Olson

American politician
Liz Olson
Speaker pro tempore of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
January 8, 2019 – January 2, 2023
Preceded byLaurie Halverson
Succeeded byDan Wolgamott
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byErik Simonson
Constituency7B (2017–2023)
8A (2023–present)
Personal details
Born1980 or 1981 (age 42–43)
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
SpouseTom
Children1
EducationUniversity of Minnesota, Duluth (BA)
Luther Seminary (MA)
Occupation
  • Community organizer
  • Legislator
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website

Liz Olson is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2017. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Olson represents District 8A in northeastern Minnesota, which includes parts of the city of Duluth in St. Louis County.[1][2]

Early life, education, and career

Olson attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and women's studies, and Luther Seminary, graduating with a Master of Arts in congregational and community care.[3]

Olson is a community organizer who has worked for Churches United in Ministry, Generations Health Care Initiatives, and TakeAction Minnesota.[4] She is a former president of the League of Women Voters, Duluth, is a member of the advisory committee of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits northeast chapter, and is a board member of Firefly Yoga International.[5]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Olson was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016 and has been reelected every two years since.[1] She first ran after two-term DFL incumbent Erik Simonson announced he would seek election to the Minnesota Senate.[6] In 2020, her opponent contested the election results, but a court dismissed the case.[1]

Olson served as speaker pro tempore of the House from 2019 to 2022. From 2019 to 2020 she served as the majority whip for the House DFL Caucus, and from 2021 to 2022 as a deputy majority leader.[1]

Olson chairs the Ways and Means Committee and also sits on the Rules and Legislative Administration and Taxes Committees.[3]

Electoral history

2016 Minnesota State House - District 7B[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Liz Olson 13,824 70.87
Republican Cody Barringer 5,641 28.92
Write-in 40 0.21
Total votes 19,505 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold
2018 Minnesota State House - District 7B[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Liz Olson (incumbent) 12,739 71.84
Republican Caroline Burley 4,965 28.00
Write-in 28 0.16
Total votes 17,732 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 7B[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Liz Olson (incumbent) 14,769 68.15
Republican Art Johnston 6,879 31.74
Write-in 23 0.11
Total votes 21,671 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 8A[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Liz Olson (incumbent) 11,587 70.48
Republican Art Johnston 4,830 29.38
Write-in 22 0.13
Total votes 16,439 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

Personal life

Olson and her husband, Tom, have one child. They reside in the Denfeld neighborhood in Duluth, Minnesota.[1][4]

References

  • flagMinnesota portal
  1. ^ a b c d e "Olson, Liz - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  2. ^ "Rep. Liz Olson (08A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  3. ^ a b "Olson, Liz". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Passi, Peter (January 27, 2016). "Olson to run for House seat". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  5. ^ Passi, Peter (October 11, 2016). "Pilot, community organizer eye House seat". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  6. ^ "Simonson, Erik - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  7. ^ "2016 Results for State Representative District 7B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 7B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  9. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 7B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 8A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 12, 2023.

External links

  • Liz Olson at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
  • Official House of Representatives website
  • Official campaign website
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by Speaker pro tempore of the Minnesota House of Representatives
2019–2023 		Succeeded by
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▌John Burkel (R)
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▌Deb Kiel (R)
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▌Matt Grossell (R)
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▌Heather Keeler (DFL)
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▌Spencer Igo (R)
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▌Dave Lislegard (DFL)
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▌Liz Olson (DFL)
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▌Alicia Kozlowski (DFL)
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▌Jeff Backer (R)
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▌Ron Kresha (R)
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