Three candidates announce campaigns for House District 6A

Three men have announced they will seek the Republican endorsement for the new state House District 6A seat - Pastor Ben Davis, Veterinary Dr. John Howe and businessman David Liedl.

After redistricting occurred after the 2020 census, this district includes the cities of Crosslake, Manhattan Beach, Fifty Lakes, Emily, Crosby, Ironton and Deerwood, along with Fairfield, Ideal, Little Pine, Mission, Ross Lake, Perry Lake, Timothy and Wolford townships in Crow Wing County; and Ponto Lake Township in Cass County, among other Cass County communities. This district also includes part of Itasca County, including Grand Rapids and Cohasset.

Candidates, listed in alphabetical order, are:

Contributed / Ben Davis

Pastor Ben Davis was hired at Central Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge in 2008, where he ministered for 12 years to individuals who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. He is currently the lead pastor at Remnant Ministry Center in Brainerd.

“I have lived in the Brainerd lakes area most of my life and for the past 14 years served in full-time ministry," Davis said in a news release. "Most of us understand how delicate the economy can be at a local level. When the Potlatch Mill closed down it was devastating for many hard-working families in the Brainerd area. Growing up in the Crosby-Ironton School District, we learned about economic disparity in our own backyard - losing mining crippled other businesses that also had to close. We have seen first-hand the devastation of government overreach into our churches, businesses and schools. We the People need to reclaim what is inherently ours. My commitment to bringing a servant leadership style and a voice to the residents of District 6A is a promise I won’t back down from.”

Davis is pro-life and has been advocating for issues on election integrity, medical freedom and constitutional rights.

"I have a passion for understanding that our rights are God-given, not government given," he said.

Davis will be celebrating 22 years of marriage to his wife, Dawn, with whom they have six children. He is an avid hunter and enjoys aviation.

Contributed / John Howe

Businessman and retired veterinary practice owner Dr. John Howe, of Grand Rapids, has served on a number of state boards and other associations, including as past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, past president of the Minnesota Veterinary Association, two terms on the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, and on the Agriculture Advisory Committee for Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach.

"My veterinary practice and business experience have given me a great understanding of the challenges facing our farmers and rural communities," Howe said in a news release. "This district has had great conservative leadership from Reps. Spencer Igo and Dale Lueck, who are now in different districts, and I look forward to continuing their conservative leadership fighting government mandates, growing and strengthening our rural economies, standing up for mining, protecting medical freedom and the unborn, and so much more. I look forward to speaking with my friends and neighbors in this new House district as I kick off my campaign."

Howe and his wife, Diane, have been married for more than 52 years and have two adult children. Howe graduated from the University of Minnesota as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

In his personal time, he serves in leadership roles at Full Gospel Church of Grand Rapids. He is an National Rifle Association Benefactor Member, NRA Range Safety Officer, NRA certified instructor for firearm safety and personal defense, and has been a Department of Natural Resources bow hunter safety instructor.

He's an active hunter and fisherman, and member of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of MN and the Itasca Gun Club.

Contributed

Local businessman and community leader David Liedl has been an active member of the local GOP, previously serving as a state delegate and executive board treasurer of the Crow Wing County Republican Party.

Liedl is the owner-operator of Culver’s restaurants in Brainerd and Bemidji, and is managing director of Woods to Water Vacation Homes. He believes his established record as an effective, common-sense business leader will translate into success for the people he hopes to serve.

“I’m proud to call the lakes area my home and excited for the opportunity to represent the people of District 6A in St. Paul,” he said in a news release. “Working in the hospitality business has taught me about leadership, patience, compassion and service. My dad and I have run our businesses with the motto ‘Serve God by serving others,' and I am passionate about continuing this calling by serving in elected office.”

Liedl and his wife, Cassie, have been married for 10 years and have four children: Noah (9), Sadie (7), Hazel (5) and Luca (9 months). A member of his parish’s advisory council and a committed pro-life candidate, Liedl said his faith-based family values are what’s motivating him to run for office.

“I was raised with small-town, conservative Christian values that shape the way I run my businesses and live my life,” said Liedl, a graduate of Pequot Lakes High School. “Next to God, my family is the most important thing in the world - they are my world. That’s why I’m running: to build a future for my children and our whole community that is rooted in the time-tested, life-giving conservative values I was raised with. Those values are under attack daily, and I promise to be a strong defender of them at our state’s Capitol.”

Liedl is an avid outdoorsman, served as the area coordinator for Catholics at the Capitol advocacy day and chaired a legislative initiative to improve child care in his local community. He attended the University of Notre Dame before returning to the lakes area to take over his family’s business, marry Cassie, his high school sweetheart, and start their family.