In March, Michael Holmstrom helped lead a grassroots movement of parents that urged the Buffalo area school board to keep biological males out of girls sports. Now, Holmstrom appears to be the front-runner to represent Wright County in the Minnesota Senate.
On Tuesday, Holmstrom was endorsed by the Wright County Republicans in the upcoming special election for Senate District 29. The district covers most of Wright County, which includes the cities of Buffalo, Otsego, St. Michael, Albertville, and surrounding townships.
Holmstrom, a father of five, was one of several candidates who ran for the endorsement after the unexpected death of longtime Republican legislator Bruce Anderson last month.
“To every delegate who showed up, listened, asked the tough questions, and cast your vote, thank you,” Holmstrom said in a statement after winning the endorsement. “You have entrusted me with the responsibility to carry our shared conservative values into this race. I will not take your trust lightly.”
Holmstrom, who has never held elected office before, was up against a field of candidates that included Delano City Council Member Jason Franzen and Wright County Commissioner Tina Diedrick. His chief rival for the GOP endorsement was Monticello City Councilman Kip Christianson.
Christianson and two other candidates withdrew from the race after the convention, but Republicans Rachel Davis and Bradley Kurtz are still in the race. As such, there will likely be a GOP primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
“I thank all of the candidates who have committed to abiding by the endorsement,” said Holmstrom. “A united Wright County will work together to identify more Republicans in our backyard than ever before and take the fight to the other state senate special election in Woodbury so Republicans take the Senate Majority.”
Buffalo school board chairman urges opposition to Holmstrom
Although local Republicans are supporting Holmstrom, the chair of the Buffalo area school board said he is backing Kurtz.
“In this primary, anyone – Republican or Democrat – can vote to stop Holmstrom,” said Bob Sansevere in the post where he described Holmstrom as a “man-child.”
Kurtz does not appear to have a campaign website or campaign-related social media.
Earlier this year, Sansevere pushed back against Holmstrom’s support for a resolution to keep biological male students from competing in girls’ sports. At that time, the chairman told Alpha News the district would be in violation of state law if it did not allow students to join “extracurricular activities consistent with students’ gender identity.”
The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Louis McNutt in the general election on Nov. 4. In 2022, Anderson won the district by more than 30 percentage points.
Neighboring Republican legislators show support for Holmstrom
Following the convention, nearby Republican state legislators said they are looking forward to Holmstrom serving in the Minnesota Senate.
“I look forward to helping Michael win the special election and both of us serving the great residents of Wright County,” said Sen. Eric Lucero, R-Dayton, in a statement.
“Michael will bring a fresh voice to the Senate, an injection of youthful passion for conservative ideals,” Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, said in a social media post. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Hank Long
Hank Long is a journalism and communications professional whose writing career includes coverage of the Minnesota legislature, city and county governments and the commercial real estate industry. Hank received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied journalism, and his law degree at the University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota native lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. His dream is to be around when the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
