Zach Dorholt to Seek Minnesota House 14B Seat
The clinical counselor and school board member plans to run for the state legislative district on November 3.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Zach Dorholt, a clinical counselor at the Stearns County Jail, is mounting a bid for the Minnesota House 14B seat in the upcoming November 3 election. His campaign focuses on expanding mental health access for individuals within the criminal justice system.
Why it matters
Dorholt aims to establish a statewide framework to protect mental health care access amid ongoing concerns regarding Medicaid funding cuts. His policy goal is rooted in his professional experience working directly with patients inside the justice system.
Zach Dorholt is currently a registered candidate for the House 14B district and serves as the vice chair of the St. Cloud Area School District 742 governing board. His candidacy follows previous legislative experience in the district that began after his 2012 election win.
The players
Zach Dorholt
He is a former state representative and current clinical counselor at the Stearns County Jail.
St. Cloud Area School District 742
This is the local school district governing board where Dorholt currently serves as vice chair.
The details
Dorholt currently serves as a clinical counselor at the Stearns County Jail, where he works to connect patients to mental health resources. He draws on this background to advocate for policies that address systemic gaps in care exacerbated by recent Medicaid reductions.
Timeline
2010: Dorholt campaigned in the state election.
2012: Dorholt won the House 14B seat.
2014: Dorholt ran in the state election and lost.
2016: Dorholt campaigned in the state election.
2018: Dorholt began his term on the school district governing board.
Legal Context
The platform directly addresses the impact of Medicaid budget reductions on mental health care access for incarcerated populations. This focus mirrors broader state legislative debates regarding the intersection of social services and criminal justice funding.
The proposed statewide mental health framework could alter how local criminal justice participants receive care while in custody in Stearns County. Residents may see changes in how the school district and county agencies coordinate social service resources if the candidate is successful.
The takeaway
Dorholt's campaign highlights the increasing role of mental health advocacy in local political discourse. Voters in District 14B will decide whether his clinical experience translates into a viable legislative strategy for the upcoming term.
What happens next
The election for the Minnesota House 14B seat is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the local Criminal Justice landscape in Saint Cloud.
Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Cloud Times.
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