Biden endorses Nystrom in 8th District

Oct. 5--In a bit of a formality, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden endorsed Quinn Nystrom in the 8th Congressional District race Monday.

The candidates met briefly during his campaign visit to Duluth on Sept. 18.

"Quinn Nystrom has fought her whole life to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs," Biden said in a news release issued by the Nystrom campaign. "We need leaders like her in Congress -- leaders who aren't afraid to take on the Big Pharma and the health insurance industry to make health care more accessible and affordable. I'm proud to support her."

Nystrom, of Baxter, is running in the Nov. 3 general election against incumbent U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, the Hermantown Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Stauber has his own further endorsement merits, which he touted during last week's online candidate forum from Hibbing.

"My opponent talks as if she supports mining, but the union members know who supports them," Stauber said. "I'm supported by the Teamsters, the Iron Workers, the Carpenters, the Pipefitters and so many others that are part of this blue-collar, middle-wage economy here on the Iron Range."

Nystrom, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor nominee, had said during the forum she would do everything she could to commit herself to keeping mines operating.

As with any major party congressional nominee, Nystrom has also earned a host of endorsements, including Walter Mondale, who, like Biden, is a former vice president.

She was pleased to announce Biden's support.

"Vice President Biden is a champion for working-class families," she said. "I'm honored to have his endorsement and am looking forward to working with him to lower the cost of prescription drugs and make health care more affordable."

Stauber and Nystrom meet again at 11 a.m. Wednesday at duluthnewstribune.com for an online candidate forum sponsored by the Duluth News Tribune and Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.

Stauber tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday after possible exposure to the president aboard Air Force One during last week's Trump campaign stops in Minneapolis and Duluth.

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