Simonson wins DFL nod for Gauthier's seat

Duluth assistant fire chief Erik Simonson won the endorsement from Duluth democrats at a convention Saturday. Minnesota Brown reports Simonson received 60 percent of the vote over Julene Boe. Republican Travis Silvers is also on the ballot.

Simonson recently made headlines after his estranged daughter reached out to the Duluth newspaper and claimed her father abandoned her. Simonson denied any wrongdoing.

State Rep. Kerry Gauthier dropped his bid for re-election last month after he admitted to engaging in oral sex with a 17-year-old boy at a rest stop in July.