Roger Jonathon Reinert (born July 22, 1970) is an American politician, mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, and member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). He served in the Minnesota House from 2009 to 2011 and the Minnesota Senate from 2011 to 2017.
From 2004 to 2009, Reinert served on the Duluth City Council, where he was elected president twice.[1] Reinert spent 6 years (2011–2016) serving on the Minnesota Senate, where he represented District 7, which included St. Louis County. 2 years prior to this (2009–2010), Reinert served on the Minnesota House of Representatives. Currently, Reinert is a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves.[2] Reinert is a licensed attorney, owns a consulting firm, and teaches at the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth.
Early life and education
Reinert was born in Olivia, Minnesota and was raised in Dawson, Minnesota. He is one of seven siblings. Reinert graduated from Dawson-Boyd High School in 1988. He received an Associate of Science at Ridgewater College, a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and a Master's Degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction at Minnesota State University, Mankato.[3] In 2014, Reinert attended Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, and graduated with a Doctor of Law (J.D.) in 2018. Reinert passed the Bar Examination (MBE) in 2019, and was admitted to practice later that same year.
Career
Reinert began a political career when he was appointed to the Duluth City Council on January 12, 2004, filling the seat vacated by Herb Bergson, who had been elected mayor. In 2005, after completing Officer Training at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida, Reinert was commissioned as a Selected Reserve (SELRES) Naval Officer for the U.S. Navy Reserves.[2] Shortly thereafter, Reinert was elected as City Council President, serving in 2006 and 2008.[4] During this time, Reinert also worked as an educator at the University of Minnesota Duluth and Lake Superior College.[3]
Following Reinert's second presidential term on the Duluth City Council, he was elected into the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008 for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), and represented Saint Louis County in this position until 2010. He was a member of the House Taxes Committee, and also served on the Finance subcommittees for the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, the Public Safety Finance Division, and the Transportation Finance and Policy Division.[3] Following this, he was elected into the Minnesota State Senate under the DFL representing Saint Louis County (District 7).[3] Reinert was re-elected in 2012, defeating challenger Tyler Verry, and re-elected again in 2014.[5] He did not seek re-election in 2016.[6]
In 2018 and 2019 Reinert was deployed to Afghanistan as a military public affairs officer.[7] Upon his return in 2019, opened a legal and consulting firm, Reinert & Associates, where he acts as an attorney and managing partner. In March 2020, amidst the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reinert was deployed to Italy as part of an anti-virus crisis communications team.[8] Reinert served as the Interim Executive Director at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) from June 2020–May 2021.[9]
In November 2021, the Secretary of the Navy awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal to Reinert due to his work during his COVID deployment in 2020. As of 2022, Reinert is still actively serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He is currently the Executive Officer of the Navy Public Affairs Element Headquarters (NPASE). Reinert is the Director of Public Relations/Media for the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo, and teaches at the College of St. Scholastica.[10][11]
Reinert won the 2023 election for mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, after incumbent mayor Emily Larson conceded the win.[12] Reinert was sworn in as mayor on January 2, 2024.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Roger Reinert | 17,518 | 59.8 | ||
| Nonpartisan | Emily Larson (incumbent) | 11,716 | 40.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Roger Reinert | 32,684 | 76.90 | ||
| Republican | Tyler Verry | 9,621 | 22.64 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Roger Reinert | 19,545 | 72.73 | ||
| Republican | Rilla Debot Opelt | 7,268 | 27.05 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Roger Reinert | 13,364 | 72.96 | ||
| Republican | Alan Kehr | 3,648 | 19.91 | ||
| Independence | Jay Cole | 1,259 | 6.87 | ||
References
- ^ "Roger Reinert Launches Campaign For Duluth Mayor". Fox21Online. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ a b "Reinert serving on active duty". Duluth News Tribune. 2008-08-05. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ a b c d "Reinert, Roger Jonathon - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Minnesota Senate: Reinert wins re-election to Duluth seat". Duluth News Tribune. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ^ Reinert, Senator Roger (2016-01-03). "Senator Roger Reinert will not seek re-election in 2016 | Minnesota Senate DFL". Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Reinert to deploy to Afghanistan". Duluth News Tribune. 2018-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Former Duluth City Councilor Among Navy Reserves Deployed to Aid Italy". Fox21Online. 2020-03-28. Archived from the original on 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Former State Senator, Duluth City Councilor Named as DECC Interim Executive Director". Fox21Online. 2020-08-26. Archived from the original on 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Leadership - Duluth Airshow : Duluth Airshow". www.duluthairshow.com. 2018-11-26. Archived from the original on 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ Warfield, Baihly (2022-11-02). "Insider analysis: The Iron Range, the President, and the 8th". WDIO.com – With you for life. Archived from the original on 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
- ^ "Larson concedes Mayoral race to Roger Reinert". WDIO. November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Larson concedes Mayoral race to Roger Reinert". WDIO. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Results for All State Senate Races, 2012". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ "Results for All State Senate Races, 2010". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 26, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
- ^ "Results for all State Representatives, 2008". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.