Minnesota House candidate arrested for domestic assault
Brad Gerten, a Republican state House candidate from Burnsville, was booked Sunday into the Dakota County jail on probable cause that he tried to strangle a relative.
Gerten was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic assault. Jail roster information does not provide details about the incident, including which family member Gerten is accused of assaulting.
He had not been charged as of Monday morning but is being held without bail and is due in court Tuesday. A message left for Gerten wasn't immediately returned.
A retired National Guard soldier with degrees in criminal justice, Gerten is running for Minnesota House District 51A, a seat now held by Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan.
On Monday, House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Zimmerman, said in a statement addressing the arrest that no Republican caucus money has been or will be spent on the race.
"Domestic violence is unacceptable to our party and our caucus," he added.
Editor's note: Typically, MPR News does not name suspects who have not been charged with crimes. However, we are making an exception in this case because he is a public figure running for office.
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