MN-HD03B: With a familiar name, DFL tries to win back long-held Minnesota House seat it lost last election

HERMANTOWN, MINN. – Mark Munger (D) was a young lawyer in the 1980s the first time he was approached by elder Democrats and asked to consider an entry into politics. They wanted him to run against independent Republican James Gustafson for a senate seat.

He turned to his uncle Willard Munger, who had experience here. The elder Munger served 42 years as a member of the House of Representatives before he died of liver cancer in 1999. The Munger name still holds weight in this community, where the 80-mile Willard Munger State Trail starts near the Munger Inn. He was frank in his advice to his nephew.

“He said ‘Mark, if you want your first election to be your last election, run against Jim Gustafson,’” Munger, a retired St. Louis County judge and Proctor city attorney, recalled recently.

He took the advice.

“I don’t like losing,” Munger said.




https://www.startribune.com/in-northern-minnesota-dfl-tries-to-win-back-long-held-house-seat-it-lost-last-election/601167245