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Big Lake DFLer to challenge Mark Olson for state House

A Big Lake DFLer Tuesday announced his candidacy for the state House of Representatives from a district represented by a man convicted of domestic assault.

Last update: November 13, 2007 - 8:17 PM

A Big Lake DFLer Tuesday announced his candidacy for the state House of Representatives from a district represented by a man convicted of domestic assault.

In a prepared statement, Steve Andrews, 47, described himself as "a moderate ... committed to effective investment of our tax dollars."

District 16B is represented by Republican Mark Olson. Despite his legal trouble, Olson said Tuesday that he intends to run for reelection in November 2008. He was first elected in 1992.

In August, Olson, also of Big Lake, was sentenced to two years' probation, fined and ordered to attend a compassion workshop. He was convicted in July 13 of misdemeanor domestic assault for causing his wife, Heidi, fear of bodily harm when they collided and fell to the ground behind their home in November.

He was acquitted of intentionally harming or trying to harm her after his attorney argued that he had acted in self-defense in an abusive relationship.

Andrews, a graduate of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., is vice president of technology at Fintegra Financial Solutions in Minneapolis. He and his wife of 15 years, Mary, co-own a Seattle Suttons Healthy Eating outlet in Maple Grove. The couple have two sons of elementary school age.

PAUL WALSH

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