In the race to replace retiring state Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, no one is going to have an easy time stepping into the role. Gunther served District 23A in the Minnesota House of Representatives for more than two decades. The knowledge and experience he acquired simply cannot be matched overnight.

However, someone must take the reins, and we believe the candidate best positioned to do so is Elmore Mayor Bjorn Olson, the Republican nominee for the seat.

Olson’s background is impressive. He teaches at Blue Earth Area Schools. He farms. He serves in the Army Reserve. And, of course, he has experience in local government. All of this makes him one of the most well-rounded candidates we have ever seen.

He also brings conservative values that match the district. He is pro-life and in favor of Second Amendment rights. He has expressed skepticism about state overreach amid the coronavirus pandemic, noting how state restrictions have hurt small town businesses.

While Olson’s opponent, Democrat Pat Bacon, has represented her party well during the campaign and demonstrated her desire to serve and help people in the district, we still believe Olson is clearly the better choice.