LAKE CRYSTAL, Minn. – A 2-1/2 term state legislator from Lake Crystal, Jeremy Munson, filed candidacy papers to replace Jim Hagedorn in Congress representing southern Minnesota. Like Hagedorn, who died in February, Munson is a Republican. Also like Hagedorn, Munson is from the Mankato area. In the Legislature he’s been a maverick. They still talk about his stunt in 2021, when Munson took a suggestion from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a Trump supporter, and proposed that several Minnesota counties cede from the state and declare themselves part of South Dakota. Munson’s argument was that the Minnesota Legislature was run by Lefties who didn’t represent rural counties anymore. The proposal got no where but evoked chuckles and stamped Munson as extremist on the GOP right wing.
Munson profile
Munson grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota. He earned a in business from UM-Crookston. He went to New York as an account manager for an investment company, then relocated to Minnesota as business analyst for several companies. These included the giant Taylor Corporation of Mankato. In 2013, he founded Minnesota Hops Company, which grows hops for craft beers. He himself lives in a farm. He chaired the Blue Earth County for two years. He also chaired the party’s MN-1 Congressional district process. As for a career outside politics, Munson calls himself “a self-business consultant in regulatory compliance.”
Leading rally. Of pro-lifers.
CPAC link. For a campaign brochure, Munson chose to tout his his membership in ultra-right Conservative Political Action Committee.Trump spoke at 2022 convention.
Political philosophy
These Munson statements suggest a conspiratorial and paranoiac mindset about government as an overwhelming evil:
> “I am tired of wasteful government spending, high taxes and overreaching regulations.”
> “I shine a light on the ugly side of government.”
> “Overreaching regulations, high taxes, poor roads, limited daycare and health insurance problems burden farmers, small businesses and hard-working people.”
> “I appreciate the need for a strong education system and know our rural schools deserve equal funding.”
His flashy 2022 Congressional campaign site features a photo exuding enthusiasm with Donald Trump on the podium a rally. His caption: “I’m 100% Pro-Life. 100% Pro-Gun. 100% Conservative.”
Munson. Calls himself “a proven conservative fighter always voting for freedom and liberty for the people.” Age 46.
Upper Midwest’s new face? As Munson proposed Minnesota’s break-away.
Electoral record
Munson ran for the House 23-B seat in 2018 after Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder, resigned amid sexual harassment and assault allegations.
2020: He defeated Leroy McClellan, a Democrat, 64% to 35%.
2018: He defeated Jim Grabowski, a Democrat, 50% to 35%.
2-18: He defeated Melissa Wagner, a Democrat, 64% to 35%, in a special election.
Legislative record
Munson disdains compromise as part of the U.S. legislative process. He characterizes himself a purist — a single-issue advocate. Among bills he proposed in the State House:
> Terminating the governor’s prerogative for peacetime emergency actions, specifically actions against the CoVid virus.
> Ending the government policy, dating to 1916, for seasonal daylight savings time.
> Ssupending salaries for the governor and legislators whose anti-CoVid initatives interfere with private business.
> Expanding the legal description of boundaries of a “dwelling” to widen self-defense with a firearms.
> Requiring voters present an ID card to vote.
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Earlier: Dates set to elect Hagedorn successor