BEMIDJI 鈥� Republican incumbent Matt Bliss will retain his seat representing Minnesota House 2B after defeating Democratic-Farmer-Labor challenger Michael Reyes in Tuesday鈥檚 election.
The final unofficial counts placed Bliss on top with 63.75% of the total votes cast, earning 12,459 compared to Reyes' 7,010, or 35.87%.
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Bliss was first elected to represent District 2B in the Minnesota House in 2022, after previously serving in 5A since 2016 prior to redistricting.
Unofficial results currently show an evenly-divided House, with 67 DFL representatives and 67 Republicans, pending any recounts. The Minnesota House has been split just once before, in 1979.
Bliss grew up on a farm and later served in the U.S. Navy where he received training in communications and electronics. He now owns Bliss Point Resort on Cass Lake and has worked as an IT director for the Red Lake Nation.
During his time in office, Bliss has served as the minority lead on the Veteran and Military Affairs Committee, as well as sitting on the Children and Families Finance and Policy, and the Elections Finance and Policy Committees.
Reyes is a lifelong resident and enrolled member of the Leech Lake Nation and currently works for the tribe in planning and development. He is also a volunteer firefighter who has served for over 10 years with the Cass Lake Fire Department.
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