The Duluth News Tribune reports…

Minnesota Republican senators strengthened their grip on the chamber’s majority Wednesday, Feb. 13, when newly elected Jason Rarick, of Pine City, was sworn into office after winning a special election to a vacant seat last week.

Rarick, a third-term state representative, won the seat vacated by Democrat Tony Lourey, who stepped down in January after Gov. Tim Walz appointed him to his cabinet. …

Rarick said his priorities are to provide money to bring more broadband access to rural Minnesota and find a permanent new source of funding for roads and bridges.