After flipping his district in a contest against an incumbent, representative and New Republican caucus member Erik Mortensen continued to be one of the most outspoken critics of the governor. But get to know “Mort,” as the reluctant politician is colloquially known, in this episode as he talks about the role of government, the future of the GOP, and going winter camping in -71°F windchill conditions.

Nonprofit founder and South Dakota-born senator-elect Lindsey Port of Burnsville has worked on many campaigns in the past, but none was quite like 2020 – which saw numerous surprise issues and pandemic obstacles. Hear Port describe winning suburban voters, navigating national narratives and turnout uncertainty on the campaign trail, and how Democrats can win small business owners in this latest episode of Beers with Blois.

Seeing the absence of civil engineers in government, Ann Johnson, who started her own engineering business, decided to step up to the plate to join infrastructure policymaking. But district 44 senator-elect Johnson is eager to act on more than a single issue; hear her discuss the climate crisis, “common sense” gun laws, and more. And, stick around to the end of the podcast to hear the northern Wisconsinite’s beverage and brewery recommendations.

After working on Paul Wellstone’s 2002 campaign team kickstarted Emma Greenman’s interest in “returning politics to the people,” the district 63B representative-elect is moving from a career of community organizing to a legislative role. Hear Greenman talk about her fascination with voting and democracy (and their relevance in the 2020 election), serving her hometown district, and, of course, the best bar crawl destinations in southeast Minneapolis.

Donald Raleigh, representative-elect for district 38A, brings to the legislature a distinguished background of military service and almost two decades of small business experience. The new legislator discusses salient issues in his Anoka and Washington County district, including business support and a return to in-person education, as well as running a positive campaign in a polarized year.

Hawaiian-born lawyer Athena Hollins was elected to represent her Saint Paul house district after upsetting incumbent John Lesch in the Democratic primary. Hollins discusses campaigning in a year of revolving issues, including climate justice and public safety, and her impressive adjustment to Minnesota's cold winters.

As a self-proclaimed “legal nerd” equipped with years of experience in immigration law and with the ACLU, Rep.-elect Sandra Feist discusses her legislative ambitions concerning education, civil liberties, and more. Also, tune in to hear about the newly-formed “nerd caucus” and Feist’s wide range of interests – from heavy metal to Minnesota sports.

Jordan Rasmussen, elected to represent Otter Tail County’s prevailing house district, has been to Harvard and back; in this episode, he discusses his homecoming to Fergus Falls and how to attract more young people to rural Minnesota. Hear the investment and consulting veteran explain how Excel spreadsheets and “returns on investment” inform his views on Minnesota’s regulatory environment, especially in a district miles from the North Dakota border.

Hailing from Grand Rapids, Rep.-elect Spencer Igo brings not only a background of working for Jason Lewis and Pete Stauber to St. Paul this session, but also a drive to help his northern district see a thriving economy. The 24-year-old outdoorsman talks about COVID-19 restrictions, the Minnesota culture of community, and his surprising beer of choice – listen to the end for the reveal!

Previously a Chanhassen City Council member, new Senator Julia Coleman brings a young mom’s view to her first term in the Minnesota Senate.  Hear what issues she wants to champion and how her father-in-law Norm Coleman gives her political counsel