Radosevich to run: Rematch possible for 11A

Local attorney and Pine Knot News publisher Pete Radosevich is ready for Election Round 2, after an announcement Tuesday that he is running for Minnesota House of Representatives in District 11A.

"I'm running for House District 11A because Carlton County is my home and I care about the issues unique to our community. While the other candidate is mimicking national issues, I feel we need a representative in St. Paul who is looking out for the issues that affect us, locally," Radosevich said in a news release this week.

In 2022, Radosevich and Republican Jeff Dotseth both ran to replace Esko's Mike Sundin, DFL-Esko, who did not run for a sixth term. It was Dotseth's third time running for the seat and his work paid off: the Kettle River resident defeated Radosevich by 454 votes.

The Pine Knot informed Dotseth of Radosevich's intentions. The incumbent said he'd have to give the premise of a rematch some thought, and declined to comment.

"The legislature made significant progress last session," Radosevich said. "I'm eager to be a part of future progress. Unfortunately, our current representative seems asleep at the wheel, and even actively worked against legislation that would have directly benefited Carlton County, like money for our new jail. I would not have let that happen."

Radosevich, a Cloquet resident with a law office in Esko, touted his community involvement and experience as a small-business owner and host of the political talk show "Harry's Gang." While he runs, his role as Pine Knot News publisher will be suspended. (For more on that, see Page 6.)

"I believe in appropriate taxation and responsible spending. I believe the government exists to solve our collective problems. And I believe the Legislature needs a DFLer like myself who has both passion and experience. As a small-business owner, a licensed professional, and a keen observer of the issues, I understand the various perspectives of our community," he said. Radosevich said he is seeking the DFL endorsement.

Minnesota House District 11A covers all of Carlton County and portions of Pine and St. Louis counties.