District 8 Candidates Discussed Mental Health

State candidates met with Duluth voters at a local forum to address mental health policy.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Mental Health

District 8 Candidates Discussed Mental Health

Live Poll

Do you feel your local political candidates prioritize mental health issues effectively in your community?

State Senator Jen McEwen and State Representative Liish Kozlowski joined Darrick Law and Shawn Savela at the Duluth Public Library to discuss mental health. The event brought local candidates and voters together to focus on a widespread issue impacting families.

Why it matters

Organizers held the event to connect residents directly with lawmakers regarding mental health challenges that affect one in five Minnesotans. The forum sought to bridge the gap between policy discussions and the needs of local children and families.

One in five Minnesotans lives with a mental illness, according to figures shared during the event. This prevalence rate remains a key metric for policymakers evaluating the scope of mental health services across the state.

The players

Jen McEwen

Jen McEwen is a serving State Senator representing constituents in the Minnesota legislature.

Liish Kozlowski

Liish Kozlowski is a serving State Representative involved in state-level legislative processes.

Darrick Law

Darrick Law is a political candidate participating in the District 8 legislative election cycle.

Shawn Savela

Shawn Savela is a political candidate seeking to engage with voters on key policy issues.

The details

Candidates participated in a nonpartisan session at the Duluth Public Library to engage with voters on mental health issues. The event was organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Mental Health Legislative Network to facilitate direct interaction between constituents and those seeking office.

The District 8 forum took place on October 8, 2026.
A forum for Districts 6 and 7 is scheduled for October 29, 2026.

The Big Picture

This event follows a pattern set by the Mental Health Legislative Network's ongoing advocacy initiatives, which aim to prioritize behavioral health in state law. By organizing these forums, the group attempts to elevate mental health as a primary consideration in the regional legislative agenda.

The forum provides residents with a rare opportunity to voice personal concerns about mental health services directly to their potential representatives. This engagement helps ensure that upcoming legislative priorities reflect the real-world experiences of local families.

The takeaway

Engaging directly with candidates in a nonpartisan setting allows voters to hold officials accountable for their stance on mental health access. Residents should prepare specific questions about local resource availability before attending future candidate forums.

What happens next

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Mental Health Legislative Network will host a subsequent forum for Districts 6 and 7 on October 29, 2026, in Grand Rapids.