# Matt Bliss *American politician; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives* Matt Bliss, a member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]], has held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2021, after an earlier term from 2017 to 2019.[^1] He represents District 2B in northern [[Minnesota]], which takes in portions of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca and Mahnomen Counties.[^1] His House career has been defined by four contests against the DFL legislator John Persell, two won by each man. Bliss took the seat from Persell in 2016, lost it back to him by 11 votes in 2018, and regained it in 2020.[^1] ## Early life, education, and career Bliss grew up on a farm, one of ten children. He enlisted in the Navy after finishing high school and received training in electronics and communications.[^1] He is the owner of Bliss Point Resort on Cass Lake. He has also been employed as an IT director by the Red Lake Nation and served as president of the Pennington Resort Association.[^1] His 2014 bid for a seat on the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners was unsuccessful.[^1] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Bliss won his first House election in 2016, unseating Persell, who had held the seat for four terms.[^1] Persell won the 2018 rematch by a margin of 11 votes, a result upheld by the recount required under state law.[^1] Bliss defeated Persell again in 2020 and won reelection in 2022.[^1] During their contests, Bliss faulted Persell for co-authoring a red-flag gun control proposal and faulted Democrats over what he characterized as defunding the police; Persell said he had pushed for increased public safety funding.[^1] Bliss is co-chair of the Veteran and Military Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee and the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.[^1] ## Personal life Bliss lives in Pennington, Minnesota. He is married and has four children; his first wife died of cancer.[^1] His memberships include the Minnesota Deer Hunters' Association, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the Ruffed Grouse Society.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Matt Bliss, Republican member of the Minnesota House for District 2B.[^1] - John Persell, DFL legislator who lost to Bliss in 2016 and 2020 and defeated him in 2018.[^1] ### What - Co-chair of the Veteran and Military Affairs Committee; member of the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committees.[^1] ### When - First elected 2016; defeated by 11 votes in 2018; elected again 2020; reelected 2022.[^1] ### Where - District 2B, covering parts of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca and Mahnomen Counties.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Matt Bliss* (revision 1365684343, retrieved 26 October 2026) — Bliss's House service, district, electoral history against Persell, committee assignments, business and personal background. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Bliss