Pete Stauber
When he talks, Pete Stauber looks you straight in the eye with a firm but friendly gaze. If one can be easygoing, warm, friendly, and no nonsense at the same time, this would be a good description of the recently retired Duluth law enforcement officer.
Stauber came to Grand Marais on Sunday, Aug. 6 to march in the Fisherman’s Picnic parade as a way to introduce himself to Cook County residents. Although his visit was quick, it won’t be his last trip to the county, promised Stauber, a Republican candidate for Northeastern Minnesota’s Eighth District congressional seat.
Currently, Pete is the only Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (DFL) for the 2018 election.
Longtime Northland residents who follow hockey recognize Stauber from his high school hockey playing days. Pete was a star at Denfeld High School. He went on to play for Lake Superior State University in Sault St. Marie, where in his sophomore year he captained his team and led it to a Division I national championship. He played four years in the Detroit Red Wings’ farm system, never quite making it to the NHL.
Pete has served as a St. Louis County commissioner since 2012. Before that, he served eight years on the Hermantown city council, the town where he and his wife Jodi and their four children reside. Stauber served as a commander in the Duluth Police Department, and he was also the president of the Law Enforcement Labor Services Union, Local 363. He was also a former national registered paramedic and a member of the Duluth Police Tactical Response Team.
On the topic of health care, he said, “We all know Obama Care was a disaster and Congress needs to work together to fix it. I favor state control over health care. You should be able to pick your own doctor and health care should be between you and your doctor. Republicans and Democrats need to work on a health care plan that will work for all Americans. The healthcare issue is too big, too complicated and too important to care about which side wins. Congress needs to work together to get it right.”
Pete and his wife Jodi both hold permits to “conceal and carry,” he said.
Pete and his wife were the victim of gun violence in 1995 when Pete was shot in the head and survived. The suspect was found to have an extensive criminal record.
In a separate incident, a suspect pointed a gun at Pete’s head while he was on duty but the gun malfunctioned.
“There but for the grace of God I lived. The gun owners I have met who believe in the second amendment have been responsible and are lawful, law abiding citizens. I believe my life-saving device (gun) offers protection from those who would want to do me great bodily harm or death.
“Even though I am the victim of two gun incidents, I am a strong advocate of the Second Amendment.”
Pete and Jodi have four busy children, three boys and the youngest a daughter. Their youngest boy has Down syndrome.
“We are so blessed to have him,” said Pete. “Don’t get me wrong, I love all of my children, but he has brought a special blessing to our family.”
Pete also served as a board member of the United Day Activities Center (UDAC), an agency serving those in the Duluth area who have special needs.
Hunting and fishing are two favorite pastimes of the Stauber family. “We love to go to the cabin even for an hour or two and swim, fish, or just hang around outside, enjoying nature. The Eighth District is rich in natural resources, lakes, streams, woods and trails. Our favorite family times are spent outside, enjoying nature. If elected, I will work hard to preserve those assets.”
Stauber is an ardent supporter of the military. His wife retired after 24 years of service. She was promoted to the highest enlisted rank possible. She was Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) and also appointed as the first female Command Chief of the 148th Fighter Wing and was the first female to hold that position in the state of Minnesota.
“I am proud of my wife’s service to our country and I am an ardent supporter of our military and our veterans,” said Pete.
When one member of a family deploys, especially overseas, it’s tough on a family, said Stauber. So he said, “I helped start the Yellow Ribbon Committee in Duluth. If a military family had someone deploy, all they had to do was make one call, and someone would come to help them with whatever they needed. If it was a ride somewhere, that was provided. Need help with daycare? That was provided. A problem with the house, something broke and needed to be fixed, all it took was one call, and help was on its way. I know what it’s like to have a spouse deploy and have to take care of kids and a house while working full time.”
When it comes to government, Stauber believes the local, state and federal government must provide services to the public. But the overlapping redundancy “that we have to go through to get something done must be fixed. Government need not be in every facet of our existence. We need to streamline the way government works and investments must be targeted and reviewed so we can get he maximum investment back for our money.
“As elected officials, we invest in infrastructure, roads, bridges, human services etc. But that money we are spending has come from people who have worked and paid taxes. We have a responsibility to use that money wisely. We have to rightsize the government. That is what I hear on the campaign trail.”
Small business owners have been hit with significant taxes and health insurance increases. When asked what can be done to help small businesses, Stauber replied, “As a small business owner, my brothers and I have owned Duluth Hockey Company for 27 years. I know what it’s like to make payroll. To survive through the tough times in business. We need to ease the tax burden on small business owners. They are the backbone of the economy.
“People living on the east and west coasts call the Midwest flyover country,” said Stauber, adding, “We are not flyover country. We are farmers, miners, timber producers, manufactures, scientists, and health care providers. We are rural America and main street Minnesota.”
Mining is a hot topic in the Northland and Stauber was quick to point out, “No one wants to pollute the soil or water. Those of us who have lived here our whole lives love nature. I believe that by using science and facts and new technology we can and will mine precious metals safely which will allow good paying American jobs. I support both Polymet and Twin Metals in their efforts to safely mine precious metals.”
Nationally Social Security (SS) could someday run short of funds. When asked what can be done to shore up the program, Stauber said that in the 1940s and 1950s there were 40 to 50 workers who paid in to support one person who retired to collect SS. Today, he said only two to three people are working to pay for a retiree who collects social security.
“I’m very concerned about fraud when it comes to Social Security. We have all read about the person who collects Social Security checks long after the recipient who is supposed to be receiving the money has died. We have to find a way to end that abuse.
“Also, the best way to shore up the program is to get more people working in good jobs and pay into social security. It’s important to make sure our higher education and vocational school programs stay strong.
“We need to educate our kids. All children deserve the best education we can give them.
Our best students need to be offered chemistry, math, sciences and technology in order for our country to remain competitive in our current world climate. Our biggest investment needs to be in our children. That will be the most significant payback we have in the future.
“I promise if elected that when I give my word, I will keep that word. That’s what I have been known for my whole life. I won’t change now. One thing I believe is the place we call home is the greatest place on earth.”
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