Meet the DFL candidates for Duluth’s Minnesota House District 8B

DULUTH, MN. (KBJR) - Two DFL candidates are running for Minnesota House District 8B.

Campaign signs dot roads on Duluth’s eastside for State House Candidates Arik Forsman and Alicia Kozlowski.

Forsman is currently a Duluth City Councilor and serves as the Council President.

“I feel like that’s prepared me to be able to step up to that next level and serve the folks of Duluth well,” Forsman said.

He is running on what he calls a “progressive platform.”

“More affordable housing that we need, which is both an issue for our residents as well as the business community,” he said, “child care, more affordable health care.”

Forsman has worked for Minnesota Power since 2012.

He originally moved to Duluth to attend the University of Minnesota- Duluth.

He’s endorsed by 18 union and labor organizations, which he said separates him from those running in this race. Forsman also wants to be a voice for Duluthians in Saint Paul.

“The best way you do that is you’re in a relationship with people in your community and that includes people that support you and agree with you and people that don’t,” Forsman said.

Forsman and Kozlowski are both running in the DFL primary for the open state house seat.

Kozlowski currently works as a Community Relations officer for the city and is endorsed by the Minnesota Democratic Farmor-Labor Party.

Their lived experience makes them different from other candidates.

“In coming to this role as somebody who grew up in Duluth facing a lot of the disparities, you know, housing, poverty, addictions,” they said.

Kozlowski would be the first non-binary person to serve in the state house if elected. Their main priorities include fighting climate change, advocating for abortion and LGBTQ rights.

“Other issues that are so important, housing, we need affordable and just housing,” Kozlowski said, “My mother actually passed away three years ago waiting for access to housing.”

They want to be the next State Representative for 8B.

“And I’m ready to respond and I am ready to take this next step,” they said.