Pete Johnson

Pete Johnson was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota. He earned a high school diploma from Two Harbors High School, an associate degree from Lake Superior College in 2021, a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University in 2001, and a graduate degree from Arizona State University in 2022. His career experience includes working as a firefighter. Johnson has been affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in rural Lake County. We did not have indoor plumbing or running water until I was around six years old or electricity until I was nine. While we did not have a lot, my parents provided us with a loving and supportive home. In 2002, I started my career as a firefighter, this experience is a big reason why I’m running for office. As a firefighter, I have responded to thousands of calls for help when people are at their most vulnerable. With 16 years as a union officer, I have worked with members from across the political spectrum. I negotiate contracts and I fight for workers’ rights. With nine years serving on Center City Housing’s Board of Directors, I worked to provide safe and stable housing for people across Minnesota. With six years as a girls’ lacrosse coach and board member, I work with families from diverse backgrounds to provide opportunities for any child that wants to play and I have seen how impactful sports and extracurricular activities can be in building a child's confidence and support network. As a husband to a public school teacher and dad to two daughters in middle school my approach to education is shaped by real-time, real-world experiences.

I believe that my experience and perspective will put me in a unique position to not only advocate for people from all corners of our district, but also be effective in building the coalitions needed to get legislation passed. I hope to do the most good, for the most people, in the time that I have.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

For the last 19 years I have served the citizens of Duluth as a firefighter. When someone calls 911, we answer. These calls come when people are at their most vulnerable, often scared, and don’t know what else to do or who can help them. Time after time, we respond and do not have the tools to solve their problem in the short time we have with them. This is a major reason why I am running. If we can address the underlying issues such as a safe and stable place to live, access to health care they can afford, an education, and a good job, maybe less people get to the point of despair and call 911 hoping someone can help and if they do, let's make sure we have the resources in place to make a difference.My approach to education is shaped by real world experiences. The investments that we make today will pay dividends in the future. We need to make sure such investments are getting to teachers and students to make the greatest impacts. Many kids in our community are hurting and schools provide a safe place to get their needs met - we can do this by increasing mental health services, continuing free meals, and giving teachers support to do this important work. We need to lean into expanding career and technical education programming to match the needs of our local industries and businesses. Giving students practical skills and experience will help buoy local economies and keep our greatest asset invested in our state.I’ve been a union member for 22+ years and I’ve served as a union officer for 16 years in different capacities at the local, state, and international level. Our membership is a snapshot of society, representing diverse opinions across the political spectrum. What we have in common is our union solidarity, our ability to fight for one another and defend our working conditions, rights, and benefits. Unions are gaining popularity and strength in our country after decades of decline, but I know there are many other workers that need the benefits and protections that good union jobs can provide. In many cases, it has been the work and successes of the labor movement that have improved conditions for all.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I would like to focus on four key issues that make up what I believe is the foundation of success: housing, affordable healthcare, education, and workers’ rights. These four components are so critical to a person's ability to thrive that if you remove any one of them, everything else becomes unstable. When I think about our community, I feel strongly about making it a place that everyone, from our young people to our seniors can thrive and choose to remain. That means creating systems that ensure stable and affordable housing for as many citizens as possible, being sure that our schools are well-funded and keeping pace with the needs of our industries, and valuing our workforce with livable wages and benefits.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope to be remembered as someone who worked hard, successfully advocated for the people I represent, and never lost touch with why I was there.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

DFL-Democratic-Farmer-Labor

AFL-CIO/Northeast Area Labor Council/Duluth Central Labor Body

DFL Veterans’ Caucus

DFL Progressive Caucus

MN Young DFL Caucus

DFL Senior Caucus

DFL Rural Caucus

DFL Environmental Caucus

Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters

Duluth Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 101

United Association Local 11- Plumbers and Pipefitters

LiUNA Local 1091

IBEW Local 242

Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council

Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)

IUOE Local 49

North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

Planned Parenthood

What committees interest you?

Labor and Industry Finance and Policy

Housing Finance and Policy

Education Finance

Taxes