Beltrami County Historical Society Director Announces Run for House District 2B

Emily Thabes, executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society since 2021, announced March 13 that she is running for the Minnesota House District 2B seat, challenging Republican incumbent Matt Bliss as he pursues a fifth term in office.

Thabes, a Bagley resident since March 2020, is seeking the DFL endorsement for the seat. The Beltrami County DFL endorsement convention is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, with the general election set for November 3, 2026.

Her campaign launched with a pointed frame: "This district does not have a representation problem; it has a results problem." In her announcement, Thabes identified child care, environmental hazards, poverty, broadband coverage, and unemployment rates in greater Minnesota as her central concerns.

"I've spent my whole life showing up for the communities I'm part of," Thabes said. "Filing for this race is a choice to demand our district's fair share. Neither families, farms nor fish can survive on our current trajectory. Democracy starts locally, and this community needs someone to show up."

Thabes pointed to her record at the Beltrami County Historical Society as evidence of her capacity to govern. During her tenure she managed a six-figure exhibition renovation, wrote and administered state and federal grants, and secured more than $500,000 in grants for the organization. She also oversees ongoing partnerships with the city of Bemidji, Beltrami County, tribal entities, schools, and regional community organizations.

Before relocating to northern Minnesota, Thabes led adult services and programming across 42 Hennepin County library branches. Her background includes managing multi-million-dollar budgets and leading teams of up to 35 people dispersed across six states.

"Every community in this district has experienced elders, passionate youth, emboldened changemakers, strategic leaders and everyday working moms and dads with problems that need solving," Thabes said in her announcement. "They deserve a representative who will pay attention, build relationships, remove roadblocks and get work done to the benefit of the greater community and its future generations."

District 2B spans portions of seven counties: Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, and Mahnomen.