Former 'Summer House' reality TV star Luke Gulbranson has announced a last-minute campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. The 42-year-old Democrat aims to unseat Republican incumbent Pete Stauber.
Gulbranson entered the race just weeks before the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's endorsing convention. In his campaign launch, he addressed his TV background, stating, "Yeah, I've been on reality TV, but that's drama for show. What's happening in D.C. is real drama, with real consequences."
A native of Eveleth, Minnesota, Gulbranson returned to his home state during the pandemic. He highlighted his working-class roots and local issues like healthcare funding and support for union jobs as central to his platform. He plans to campaign against policies he says threaten rural hospitals and communities.
Despite his late entry, Gulbranson has committed to seeing the campaign through the primary and general election, hoping to leverage broader Democratic momentum in the state.