WINONA, Minn. – A veteran of the Winona County Board, Dwayne Voegeli, has decided to run for the state Legislature, according to a knowledgeable source. Voegeli will be seeking the District 26-A seat from Winona. The seat is being vacated by fellow Democrat Gene Pelowski, who is retiring. Voegeli was elected to the Winona County Board in 2002 and served two terms. He was elected again in 2022. Currently he is Board chair. Voegeli, age 56, teaches social science at Winona High School. He was selected as Winona Teacher of the Year in 2009 and the next year was among 10 finalists fir state Teacher of the Year.
Voegeli. Hat in the ring for State House of Representatives.
Political path ahead
Although the period for candidates to file doesn’t open until May 21, the field for Minnesota House District 26-A is filling up.
> Republicans: Winona City Council member at-large Aaron Repinski and former 26-A candidate Stephen Doerr have announced their candidacies.
> Democrats: Winona County Board Chair Dwayne Voegeli has announced, A second Democrat is expected to announce soon.
Other candidates also could be forthcoming. With multiple candidates, run-off primary elections will be needed to decide who is each party’s candidate on the November ballot.