Mark Olson running for Minnesota Senate seat

Rep. Mark Olson
The challenge to his House seat came after Olson was convicted of domestic assault last summer, a charge that led the House Republican Caucus to kick him out.
MPR Photo/Tom Scheck

Mark Olson, a Republican member of the Minnesota House, has filed paperwork to run for the Minnesota Senate.

Olson is running to replace Republican Senator Betsy Wergin, who resigned her post after she was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission.

Olson, of Big Lake, decided last week against running for the House seat which he has held since 1993. Former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer challenged Olson for the GOP endorsement and won.

The challenge came after Olson was convicted of domestic assault last summer, a charge that led the House Republican Caucus to kick him out.

Gov. Pawlenty announced that the special election will coincide with the general election.

There will also need to be Republican and DFL primaries on September 9 since three Republicans and two DFLers filed for the Senate seat.

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