Former St. Cloud Chamber Board Chair Announces Run for House District 13A

(KNSI) — A second candidate has emerged for the Minnesota House District 13A seat currently held by House Speaker Lisa Demuth.

Tanja Goering announced her candidacy on Tuesday. According to her announcement, Goering has over thirty years of experience in professional business development, human resources, management, and staffing. She’s also the former St. Cloud Chamber Board Chair, a graduate of the College of Saint Benedict, and plans to use the skills gained from her expansive business career and volunteer experiences to be a fresh, common-sense voice for Central Minnesota by slashing taxes, fighting fraud, and welcoming businesses.

“My work has positioned me at the intersection of employers, employees, and government policy. I’ve seen how decisions made in St. Paul on taxes, regulations, and workforce rules, show up in very real ways: in hiring freezes, canceled expansions, tighter family budgets, and young people wondering if they have to leave Minnesota to get ahead,” Goering said.

She and her husband Joe raised three children and have four grandchildren, which Goering says is a motivating factor for her run. “We’ve seen massive fraud and waste in state programs, with losses projected in the billions of dollars. These dollars should have supported schools, vulnerable Minnesotans, and essential services, not line the pockets of fraudsters. I am committed to working towards revitalizing Minnesota’s economy to ensure that families, workers, and businesses across all communities have the opportunity to succeed and to preserve prosperity for future generations.”

District 13A includes Cold Spring, Kimball, Paynesville, Roscoe, and the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University.

Demuth, a Republican, is running for Governor in 2026. Last week, William Ben Bugbee announced his intention to run for her seat.

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