HOUSE SEAT CHALLENGER APPEARS

34-year old Chrissy Nakonsky would like to challenge House District 12A State Representative John Ward this fall. Nakonsky is the first potential candidate to make a bid. Nakonsky lives in Brainerd, has worked for a fast food restaurant, a cashier and overnight stocker for a department store, and done volunteer work for OutFront Minnesota. The single father of four and a transgendered male-to-female said the campaign will emphasize the issues of poverty and education and tougher penalties for pedophiles and drunk drivers. Nakonsky intends to seek the Republican endorsement to run against Ward. Crow Wing County party chair Dale Walz told the Brainerd Dispatch it will make decisions about candidates during the endorsing convention later this spring.