# Bjorn Olson *American politician; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (District 22A)* Bjorn Olson (born January 13, 1991) is a Republican member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]. He has held a seat there since 2021 and has been the chamber's speaker pro tempore since 2025.[^1] He belongs to the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] and represents District 22A, a south-central [[Minnesota]] district. It takes in Fairmont along with portions of Blue Earth, Faribault, Martin and Watonwan Counties.[^1] Before he entered the legislature, Olson was a two-term mayor of [[Elmore]], a history teacher and a farmer. He also holds the rank of Major in the United States Army Reserve. He won the District 22A seat in 2020, after the incumbent Bob Gunther retired, and was returned in 2022.[^1] The sources assembled for this article do not include primary legislative records such as roll calls, bill authorship or certified election returns. The account below rests on a single Wikipedia revision.[^1] ## Early life, education and career Olson is a native of Fairmont, Minnesota. He graduated from Blue Earth High School and completed a bachelor's degree in history and social studies education at Bethel University in 2013.[^1] He is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and has worked as a history teacher and a farmer. He was mayor of Elmore for two terms before he joined the legislature.[^1] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Olson entered the 2020 race after Republican Bob Gunther, who had held the seat for 13 terms, said he would not run again. Gunther backed Olson rather than the other candidate in the primary. Olson won the seat that year and won reelection in 2022.[^1] According to Wikipedia, Olson has been an assistant minority leader since he took office. His committee assignments are listed as Taxes; Transportation Finance and Policy; and Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy.[^1] The same source states that Olson opposed school bike safety programs, citing the rural character of his district. It also states that he opposed proposals to study commuter rail and likened that spending to "throwing taxpayer dollars in a pit and lighting them on fire".[^1] ## Personal life Olson lives in Fairmont with his wife, Hannah, and their three children. He earlier lived in Elmore, in the house where former Vice President and U.S. Senator [[Walter Mondale]] grew up. He moved to Fairmont after the 2022 legislative redistricting.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Bjorn Olson, Republican member of the Minnesota House for District 22A; assistant minority leader since taking office, per Wikipedia.[^1] - Bob Gunther, 13-term Republican incumbent who did not seek reelection in 2020 and endorsed Olson in the primary.[^1] ### When - January 13, 1991: born.[^1] - 2013: bachelor's degree, Bethel University.[^1] - 2020: elected to the Minnesota House. 2022: reelected.[^1] - 2021: took his House seat. 2025: became speaker pro tempore.[^1] - After 2022 redistricting: moved from Elmore to Fairmont.[^1] ### Where - Born in Fairmont, Minnesota; attended Blue Earth High School.[^1] - District 22A: Fairmont and parts of Blue Earth, Faribault, Martin and Watonwan Counties.[^1] ### How many - Two terms as mayor of Elmore; three children.[^1] ## See also - [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] - [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] - [[Walter Mondale]] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Bjorn Olson* (revision 1375658024, retrieved 2026-10-26) — establishes birth date, education, military rank, prior offices, House election years, speaker pro tempore role, district, committees, stated positions and residence. It is the only source in the pack about this subject. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bjorn_Olson