Minnesota House candidate charged with domestic assault

A Minnesota House candidate who was arrested and jailed after a weekend domestic assault was formally charged Tuesday in Dakota County District Court.

Bradly Howard Gerten of Burnsville was charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation. Court documents allege that Gerten injured his wife by pushing her to the floor during a fight at their home over pizza. He then choked her 18-year-old son who tried to intervene. Gerten was also charged with a misdemeanor count of domestic assault.

Gerten, 41, is the Republican candidate in House District 51A. He’s running against incumbent state Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan. Top Republican leaders have already condemned the incident and said Gerten will not receive any campaign support.

Gerten was released on his own recognizance and ordered to have no contact with his wife or her son.  His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 14. A trial date was scheduled for March.

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