Mark Olson loses GOP primary for vacant senate seat

State Representative Mark Olson of Big Lake has lost his quest for a vacant Minnesota Senate seat after a 271 vote defeat in the Republican primary.

Olson lost to Alison Krueger in the GOP primary for the special election in senate district 16. A month ago, Olson won the local party endorsement even though he had been earlier ousted by the House GOP caucus after his conviction on a domestic assault conviction.

Leaders of the Senate GOP caucus announced last month that they were supporting Krueger, and they warned Olson would he would not be welcome in their caucus if he managed to win the senate seat.

Alison Krueger will now face DFL candidate Lisa Fobbe of Zimmerman in the special election, which is also held November 4th.

The District 16 vacancy was created when Governor Pawlenty appointed Betsy Wergin to the state Public Utilities Commission.

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