Emily Thabes Announces Candidacy for Minnesota House 2B Seat

Emily Thabes, the executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society, has declared her candidacy for the Minnesota House 2B seat in the upcoming midterm elections. Thabes will challenge incumbent representative Matt Bliss as she aims to represent the diverse needs of her district.

In her announcement, Thabes emphasized the importance of community engagement, stating, “This is about showing up, building trust and honoring the obligations that already exist.” She highlighted the need for a representative who is attuned to the issues faced by local residents, including elders, youth, and working families. “They deserve a representative who will pay attention, build relationships, remove roadblocks and get work done to the benefit of the greater community and its future generations,” she added.

Key Issues and Community Commitment

A resident of Bagley since March 2020, Thabes is seeking an endorsement from the Beltrami County DFL, which will hold its endorsement convention on March 21. “I’ve spent my whole life showing up for the communities I’m part of,” Thabes remarked. She believes that the district is not receiving its fair share of resources and stressed that “neither families, farms nor fish can survive on our current trajectory.” Thabes asserted, “Democracy starts locally, and this community needs someone to show up.”

Among the critical issues she plans to address are child care, environmental hazards, poverty, broadband access, and unemployment in greater Minnesota. Citing her accomplishments as the executive director, Thabes remarked, “This district does not have a representation problem; it has a results problem.” She believes her background equips her to resolve these pressing matters.

Professional Background and Achievements

Thabes has extensive experience managing day-to-day operations, overseeing staff, and leading significant projects at the Beltrami County Historical Society. She has successfully secured over $500,000 in grants and has managed a six-figure exhibition renovation. Her role involves fostering partnerships with local entities, including the city of Bemidji, Beltrami County, tribal organizations, schools, and regional community groups.

Prior to her tenure in northern Minnesota, Thabes led adult services and programming across 42 branches of the Hennepin County library system. There, she managed multi-million-dollar budgets and directed teams of up to 35 people across six states.

Thabes has also expressed her support for treaties signed between the U.S. Federal Government and the White Earth Nation as well as the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She referred to these treaties as the “supreme law of the land” that must be upheld.

Candidates may file for the House 2B race from May 19 to June 2, with the midterm elections scheduled for November 3. As the campaign progresses, Thabes aims to build a compelling case for her candidacy, focusing on collaborative solutions to the challenges faced by her community.