Joe Radinovich

Joe Radinovich
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 10B district
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by Redistricted
Succeeded by Dale Lueck
Personal details
Born (1986-04-07) April 7, 1986
Political party Democratic
Education Macalester College

Joe Radinovich (born April 7, 1986) is an American politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. As a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 10B in north-central Minnesota. He is the DFL nominee candidate for the United States House of Representatives in Minnesota's 8th congressional district in the November 2018 general election.

Personal life

Radinovich was born and raised in Crosby, Minnesota. In eighth grade, the Crosby-Ironton School District which he attended proposed a large budget cut, leading Radinovich to attend a school board meeting as his first foray into politics. The day after the meeting, students at his school walked out in protest. The budget cuts stayed, but Radinovich was inspired by these events to pursue a life in politics.[1]

Radinovich attended Crosby-Ironton High School, where he competed in cross country and track and field.[2] During high school, his education and life as a whole were significantly affected by a series of incidents within his family. One of his close relatives attempted suicide, leading Radinovich to miss most of his junior year in order to be in the intensive care unit with his family. Then in February of 2004, Radinovich's mother was killed by his step-grandfather, who then killed himself.[3][1]

He attended Macalester College from 2004-2007.[4] In 2005, when the teachers in Crosby-Ironton went on strike, he returned to his hometown to walk picket lines with faculty members.

In 2018, Radinovich got engaged to former State Representative Carly Melin.[5]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Radinovich was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2012, defeating Dale Lueck 50.7% to 49.3%. Before winning the general election, Radinovich defeated David Schaff in the primary. Schaff criticized the then-25-year-old Radinovich for being "extremely young."[1]

Soon after his election, Radinovich faced a difficult situation over his position on legally recognizing same-sex marriages, after his district voted for Minnesota Amendment 1 by a large margin.[6] A series of suicides by gay students in the Anoka school district in 2011 convinced him that same-sex marriage should be legal. The students' deaths were especially compelling due to his own family's experience with depression and suicide.[7] Radinovich's voting to legalize gay marriage proved controversial for both the public and his House colleagues,[7] and he was defeated by Dale Lueck in his 2014 House re-election bid, 48% to 52%.

Campaign work

After being defeated for reelection to the Minnesota House of Respresentatives, Radinovich became campaign manager for Congressman Rick Nolan's successful 2016 reelection in Minnesota's 8th congressional district. In 2017, Radinovich managed Jacob Frey's successful campaign for Minneapolis mayor, then became the chief of staff for Frey's administration.[7]

United States House of Representatives

On February 15, 2018, Radinovich announced his candidacy for Minnesota's 8th congressional district, following Representative Rick Nolan's announcement he would not seek re-election.[8] He won the Democratic primary on August 14, 2018.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Radinovich's rise: Despite adversity, Crosby man keeps making..." Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  2. ↑ "Minnesota State Meet Results A -DyeStat high school track". archive.dyestat.com. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  3. ↑ "Obituary for Lisa Susan Mooers". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  4. ↑ "Radinovich, Joe". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Amy Klobuchar on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  6. ↑ "Freedom to Marry, Freedom to Dissent: Why We Must Have Both - RealClearPolitics".
  7. 1 2 3 Sayle, Hannah. "Joe Radinovich: The Politician with a Heart - City Pages". City Pages.
  8. ↑ Nelson, Tim (February 15, 2018). "Radinovich announces run for Nolan's seat". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ Pathe, Simone (14 August 2015). "Radinovich Will Face Stauber in Top GOP Pickup Opportunity in Minnesota". Roll Call. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
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