After eight years as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Liz Olson announced today that she will not seek reelection for a 5th term.
“Representing the people of Duluth in the House of Representatives has been an incredible honor," Olson said in a prepared statement. "But now is the right time for me to step back and spend more time with my family and more time in the city of Duluth.”
During her time in St. Paul, Olson said she has been proud to make real change on issues that she has advocated for since long before her time as an elected official: providing affordable housing, healthcare, and childcare, ensuring that all workers have access to paid sick days, and fighting to end the opioid epidemic. During the 2023 legislative session she was able to be part of an historic legislative session as Ways and Means Chair achieving major victories for Minnesotans: providing free school lunches for all students, protecting the right to choose, passing earned sick and safe time, making childcare more affordable, moving towards a carbon-free future, expanding voting rights, and much more.
Olson extended a heartfelt thanks to the people of District 8A for trusting her in this role, and for working with her during her time in office.
“From day one, working with hardworking, smart, and compassionate people who want to make our city and our state better has been the greatest joy of this job," she said. "I am so grateful for everyone who has voted for me, supported me, called my office, written me emails, visited me at the Capitol, and pushed me to dream big in this role. This job has always been a team effort, and that’s what I love most about it.”
Olson said she is excited to work with partners and community members during the 2024 legislative session, and is confident that Duluth voters will choose a successor who will represent them well in St. Paul in 2025 and beyond.
“I know that Duluth will continue to have a voice in Saint Paul that reflects our city’s deeply rooted progressive values and commitment to building an equitable Minnesota where everyone can thrive,” she added.
Olson also looks forward to continuing to be deeply engaged in the city of Duluth in the future.
“I ran for office eight years ago because I love this city," she said. "Regardless of what my next chapter holds, I will always be an advocate for my beloved Duluth community. And, I can’t wait to have more time to run on our beautiful trails, enjoy time with friends, and be home more often for dinner and bedtime stories with my husband and daughter.”
Aerial Lift Bridge bay side pedestrian walkway indefinitely closed to the public
Due to unsafe conditions, the City of Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge Operations has closed the bay side pedestrian walkway to the public until further notice. The sidewalk on the lake side of the bridge will remain open for pedestrian use, but pedestrians should use extra caution when traveling the bridge by foot in winter, as walkways can sometimes become exceedingly icy and slick. Pedestrians are prohibited from walking on the roadway, and this sidewalk closure does not change that.
Automobile traffic will not be affected by this closure.
On the Road to Grandma's
Only days away from setting a new all-time record, Grandma’s Marathon has reached the second-fastest sellout in the organization’s history.
This marks the fourth straight year the race has reached its capacity, with 9,500 participants signed up for this year’s 26.2-mile road race from Two Harbors to Duluth – that number includes 500 who will also run the William A. Irvin 5K on race weekend.
The 2016 Grandma’s Marathon, which is also the largest in the event’s history with 7,518 finishers, reached its capacity on December 31 and is the organization’s only earlier sellout on record.
“It’s a humbling thing, to see thousands of people so excited to be part of Grandma’s Marathon,” said Zach Schneider, Grandma's Marathon Marketing & Public Relations Director. “It’s reason for celebration, and now the real work begins to ensure these participants, all of whom have signed up early and are looking forward to the race, have the experience they paid for and are expecting in June.”
After earning a spot last year as the 10th largest marathon in the United States, organizers expect the total registration for the 2024 Grandma’s Marathon to reach close to 10,000 participants after additional entries are redeemed – i.e. elite athletes, charity partners, sponsors, etc.
While the main field for Grandma’s Marathon has reached capacity, there are still limited ways for those interested to participate in the 2024 event.
Official Training Group --- Participants can register with our official training group, and they will receive a guaranteed entry to the 2024 event of their choice. Fewer than 200 guaranteed race entries remain for the official training group.
Charity Partners — Participants can register through one of our 2024 Charity Partners. When a participant has reached the fundraising goal – set by each organization – they will receive a free entry into the 2024 event of their choice. Available charity entries vary by organization.
Bib Transfer Portal — Participants who become injured or no longer able to attend are allowed to transfer their entries until May 1. Grandma’s Marathon has established a Facebook group to help connect those looking to buy or sell a race bib.
