Olson loses narrow race
State Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, has lost his quest for a vacant Minnesota Senate seat after a narrow defeat in the Republican primary.
Olson lost to Alison Krueger in the GOP primary for the special election in senate district 16.
One month ago, Olson won the local party endorsement even though he had earlier been ousted by the House GOP caucus after his conviction on a domestic assault charge.
Leaders of the Senate GOP caucus announced last month that they were supporting Krueger, and they warned Olson he would not be welcome in their caucus if he managed to win the senate seat.
Alison Krueger will now face DFL candidate Lisa Fobbe of Zimmerman in the special election, which will be held November 4th.
The District 16 vacancy was created when Gov. Pawlenty appointed Betsy Wergin to the state Public Utilities Commission.
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