Progressive Democrat, attorney from Walnut Grove will challenge Tina Smith in special election
By Per Peterson
Nick Leonard is taking his passion for politics to a whole new level.
Leonard, a Tracy Area High School graduate and Democratic activist originally from Walnut Grove, announced last week that he will challenge former Minnesota Lt. Gov. and current U.S. Sen. Tina Smith for the seat to which she was appointed after the departure of Sen. Al Franken, who stepped down in January after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced.
Leonard is the first Democrat to challenge Smith in a November special election. Republican state Sen. Karin Housely, R-St. Marys Point, is also running for the seat.
“I think it’s really important for people to have a choice within the party,” Leonard said in an interview with the Headlight Herald on Tuesday. “Politics have gotten so contentious, and I think it’s time for someone with core Minnesota values to represent the people.”
For more on this article, see this week’s Headlight-Herald.