DFL candidate plows ahead after Knoblach bows out

A DFL candidate for the Minnesota House is adjusting to the sudden departure of the Republican incumbent he was running against.

Dan Wolgamott of St. Cloud is now the lone candidate in District 14B. Jim Knoblach suspended his campaign Friday ahead of an MPR News report on allegations his adult daughter made about years of inappropriate physical contact.

Wolgamott says the situation is tragic, but he won’t make any changes in the way he is campaigning.

“I’m a ninth-grade football coach, and I always teach my players to block until the final whistle,” Wolgamott said.

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Wolgamott says he spent the past few days, as usual, knocking on doors in the district. He said he still plans to participate next Monday at a League of Women Voters’ candidate forum.

“Really, nothing changes,” he said. “We’re going to continue to reach out to people and be focused on a positive message and learning from people in St. Cloud.”

Despite the suspension of his campaign, Knoblach will still be listed as a candidate on the ballot. Early voting began Friday.

Wolgamott said he has not heard anything about a potential Republican write-in candidate stepping forward.

“It’s a possibility of course, but I haven’t heard rumblings thus far,” he said.