Roger Reinert
Roger Jonathon Reinert (born July 22, 1970) is an American attorney and politician serving as the 40th mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, since January 2024.[1][2] A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, Reinert previously represented District 7 in the Minnesota Senate from 2011 to 2017 and served in the Minnesota House of Representatives prior to that, as well as on the Duluth City Council from 2004 to 2009.[2][3] His election as mayor in November 2023 defeated two-term incumbent Emily Larson in a closely contested race, signaling a shift toward more moderate governance in the traditionally liberal city.[4][5] Reinert holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and a Master of Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is a licensed attorney who specialized in consulting for local governments before entering office.[6] He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve, attaining the rank of commander and deploying to Afghanistan in a combat role during 2018–2019.[3][7] As mayor, Reinert has emphasized fiscal restraint, including proposals to address budget shortfalls through spending cuts and efficiency measures amid rising property taxes.[8] His administration faced scrutiny over the involvement of his partner and former campaign manager, Amber Gurske, in city affairs, though an independent investigation in early 2025 cleared her of any policy or legal violations.[9][10]Early life and education
Childhood and upbringing
Roger Reinert was born on July 22, 1970.[11] He grew up in Dawson, a small rural town in Lac qui Parle County, western Minnesota, located near the South Dakota border.[12] [13] During his youth, Reinert participated in the Minnesota State FFA (Future Farmers of America) Officer Team for the 1989-1990 term, where he developed leadership skills through agricultural education and community activities typical of small-town Midwestern upbringing.[12] Details on Reinert's family background and specific childhood experiences remain limited in public records, with no verified information on his parents or siblings from primary sources. He has described his early life as rooted in small-town Minnesota values before relocating to Duluth in his twenties, around the late 1990s, after prior visits to the city.[14] [15]Academic and professional training
Reinert graduated from Dawson-Boyd High School in 1988 before pursuing higher education.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, providing foundational training for his early career in instruction.[2] [16] Prior to entering politics, Reinert worked as a teacher in Duluth and Lake Superior school districts, focusing on secondary-level education aligned with his degree.[11] He subsequently transitioned to higher education, serving as an adjunct instructor teaching undergraduate courses in political science, legal studies, and related subjects at Lake Superior College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and the College of St. Scholastica.[17] [16] This role spanned 18 years, during which he delivered part-time instruction at both associate and baccalaureate levels.[17] Following his state legislative service, Reinert pursued advanced professional training in law, enrolling at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul in 2014 and graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2018.[18] He passed the Minnesota bar examination shortly thereafter, qualifying him as a licensed attorney.[18] This legal education supplemented his prior instructional experience, enabling him to incorporate jurisprudence into his teaching and subsequent professional activities.[17]Military service
Naval officer experience
Reinert joined the United States Navy Reserve as a commissioned officer on September 30, 2005, initially holding the rank of lieutenant junior grade and serving in public affairs roles.[2][19][14] By 2016, he had advanced to the rank of lieutenant commander.[20] In January 2018, Reinert deployed to Afghanistan for approximately one year in support of Operation Resolute Support, primarily stationed in Kabul as a public affairs officer handling strategic communications and media relations during combat operations.[17][21][7] He participated in missions beyond secure areas, contributing to his designation as a combat veteran upon return in 2019.[21][7] In March 2020, Reinert undertook a subsequent deployment to Italy, where he led a Navy Reserve crisis action team addressing the COVID-19 pandemic response.[22][17] Reinert was promoted to commander and, as of 2024, serves as executive officer for the Chief of Naval Information's reserve unit at the Pentagon, continuing his reserve duties alongside civilian responsibilities.[17][23] His total service reached 20 years in 2025.[2]Pre-political career
Teaching and legal background
Prior to entering politics, Reinert worked as an educator, teaching part-time undergraduate courses in political science and legal studies at Lake Superior College and the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD).[16][2] He also instructed graduate-level public policy classes at UMD.[14] Reinert continued adjunct teaching for nearly two decades, including business classes at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, where he most recently held a position.[17][13] His overall teaching career spanned 18 years, focusing on undergraduate political science, legal courses, and graduate public policy.[17] In addition to teaching, Reinert pursued legal qualifications later in his career, earning a juris doctor degree after concluding his state senate service in 2017.[18] He is a licensed attorney in Minnesota and operates a consulting firm, providing legal consulting services to various clients prior to his mayoral tenure.[17] No records indicate extensive traditional legal practice, such as firm partnership or courtroom litigation, prior to his licensure.[17]Political career
Local offices in Duluth
Reinert was first elected to the Duluth City Council in November 2004 as an at-large representative.[24] [25] He served a total of five years on the nine-member council, which operates under Duluth's strong-mayor form of government where the body reviews and approves policy proposals from the mayor's administration.[17] During his tenure from 2004 to 2009, Reinert was elected president of the City Council on two occasions, providing leadership in legislative proceedings and committee assignments.[17] [24] In this role, he contributed to local governance on issues including municipal budgeting, infrastructure maintenance, and community services, though specific legislative outputs from his council service are documented primarily through city records rather than individual attributions.[17] His at-large position represented the city broadly, without district-specific boundaries, aligning with Duluth's electoral structure for two such seats alongside seven district representatives.[15] Reinert's council service preceded his transition to state-level politics, ending upon his successful campaign for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008.[24] No other local elected offices in Duluth are recorded for him prior to or following this period.[17]State legislative service
Reinert was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in November 2008 as a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member representing District 7B, which encompassed parts of St. Louis County, and served from January 2009 to January 2011.[2] During this term, he sat on the House Finance Committee, including its divisions on higher education and workforce development, public safety and transportation, and the full Taxes Committee.[2] His legislative priorities included taxation, transportation, higher education, and regional economic issues affecting northeastern Minnesota.[2] In November 2010, Reinert won election to the Minnesota State Senate for District 7, also covering St. Louis County, and served four terms from January 2011 to January 2017.[2] In the 2011-2012 session, he served on the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, Local Government and Elections Committee, and Transportation Committee.[2] From 2013 to 2016, his committee assignments expanded to include the Commerce Committee, Taxes Committee, Transportation and Public Safety Committee, and the Finance Committee's Transportation and Public Safety Budget Division.[2] Among his sponsored measures, Reinert authored legislation in 2014 permitting Minnesota craft breweries to operate on Sundays, and in 2015 he co-introduced a bill aligning dental fee reimbursements with prevailing schedules to support access in underserved areas.[26] [27] Reinert announced in January 2016 that he would not seek re-election to the Senate, citing a desire to focus on family and local opportunities in Duluth after eight years in the legislature.[26] His service totaled 2,919 days across both chambers.[2]Mayoral administration
Roger Reinert was inaugurated as mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, on January 8, 2024, following his election victory in November 2023.[8] His administration has emphasized core city services such as public safety and transportation, alongside efforts to grow the commercial tax base through expanded housing and commerce to alleviate property tax burdens and support infrastructure funding.[28] In fiscal management, Reinert proposed a 2025 city budget prioritizing new tax base growth from development, public safety enhancements, and maintenance of facilities and parks, achieving a 0% property tax levy increase for the year through new construction revenues.[29] [30] The administration signed six labor contracts providing wage increases for all city employees in 2025, while warning of potential future tax hikes—up to 16% in 2026 without spending reductions—amid inflation and state funding uncertainties.[8] Legislative priorities include seeking state bonding for repairs to the Aerial Lift Bridge, water treatment plant upgrades, and Bayfront site preparation, as well as protecting local government aid for police, fire, and roads.[31] On public safety and downtown revitalization, Reinert advanced ordinances classifying certain petty crimes as misdemeanors to deter unsafe behaviors and improve perceptions, alongside increased police and outreach presence to address graffiti and litter.[32] The administration promotes downtown as a residential neighborhood to reach a population goal of 90,000, with two apartment projects under construction expected to add 500 residents, and initiated a study of the skywalk network for connectivity.[32] Infrastructure efforts encompass 19 miles of street repairs, the Sofidel plant expansion, and environmental restorations like the St. Louis River Estuary, building on prior investments in clean-water systems.[32] [33]Electoral history
City council and state legislature elections
Reinert was elected to an at-large seat on the Duluth City Council in the November 4, 2003, municipal general election.[34] He took office on January 12, 2004, and served until January 6, 2009, during which time he was elected council president twice.[2] Duluth City Council elections are nonpartisan, with at-large members representing the city as a whole alongside district representatives.[34] In 2008, Reinert successfully ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 7B, defeating Republican opponent Steven Lillestol.[2] He assumed office on January 5, 2009, serving one term until January 3, 2011.[2] Reinert then transitioned to the Minnesota Senate, winning election in District 7 on November 2, 2010, against Republican Rilla Opelt with 72.7% of the vote (19,545 votes to Opelt's 7,308).[35] He was reelected on November 6, 2012, securing 76.90% of the vote (32,684 votes).[36] District 7 encompasses parts of St. Louis County, including Duluth. Reinert did not seek reelection in 2016, citing a desire to focus on family and local priorities after six years in the legislature.| Election | Office | Party | Votes | Percentage | Opponent(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2010 | Minnesota Senate District 7 | DFL | 19,545 | 72.7% | Rilla Opelt (R)[35] |
| November 6, 2012 | Minnesota Senate District 7 | DFL | 32,684 | 76.90% | N/A (unopposed in general after primary)[36] |