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Cal Warwas

From Ballotpedia
Cal Warwas
Candidate, Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B
Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B
Tenure
2025 - Present
Term ends
2027
Years in position
1
Predecessor:Dave Lislegard (D)
Compensation
Base salary
$51,750/year
Per diem
$86/day
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2024
Next election
August 11, 2026
Education
Other
Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, 1999
Personal
Birthplace
Virginia, MN
Religion
Christian
Profession
Miner
Contact

Cal Warwas (Republican Party) is a member of theMinnesota House of Representatives, representingDistrict 7B. He assumed office on January 14, 2025. His current term ends on January 12, 2027.

Warwas (Republican Party) is running for re-election to theMinnesota House of Representatives to representDistrict 7B. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled onAugust 11, 2026.[source]

Biography

Cal Warwas was born inVirginia, Minnesota. Warwas' career experience includes working as a miner. He earned a degree from Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in 1999.[1]

Warwas has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • Steelworkers Local 1938
  • Clinton Township Board Member
  • St. Louis County Association of Townships
  • Minnesota Association of Townships
  • Better In Our Back Yard (BIOBY)
  • Iron Mining Association
  • Mining Minnesota

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according toBillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Committee assignments

2025-2026

Warwas was assigned to the following committees:


Elections

2026

See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on August 11, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B

Dan Horoshak (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B on August 11, 2026.


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Republican primary

Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B

IncumbentCal Warwas (R) is running in the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B on August 11, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Cal Warwas
Cal Warwas

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Incumbents arebolded and underlined.

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Endorsements

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2024

See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B

Cal Warwas defeatedLorrie Janatopoulos in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cal Warwas
Cal Warwas (R) Candidate Connection
 
56.3
 
13,781
Image of Lorrie Janatopoulos
Lorrie Janatopoulos (D) Candidate Connection
 
43.6
 
10,655
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
23

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 24,459
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B

Lorrie Janatopoulos advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B on August 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lorrie Janatopoulos
Lorrie Janatopoulos Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
2,703

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There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,703
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B

Cal Warwas defeatedMatt Matasich in the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B on August 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cal Warwas
Cal Warwas Candidate Connection
 
84.2
 
2,588
Image of Matt Matasich
Matt Matasich
 
15.8
 
485

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,073
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Warwas in this election.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

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Candidate Connection

Cal Warwas has not yet completedBallotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.If you are Cal Warwas,click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2024

Candidate Connection

Cal Warwas completedBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Warwas' responses.

Expand all |Collapse all

My name is Cal Warwas. I was born in Virginia, MN, in 1976, and have lived and worked on the Iron Range my entire life.

In 1996, two events took place that changed the course of my life forever: On April 22, I started a job for United States Steel as a Train Operator, and on May 11, I married my beautiful bride (and best friend) Maria Keller.

Growing up, I didn't realize how unique our hometown was and how the Iron Range has helped to shape domestic industry in the United States. I'm a 3rd generation miner, and a 2nd generation Steelworker member at the Local 1938, where I've been for 28 years now, and have worked in numerous roles. You can read more about that here: https://www.mesabitribune.com/mine/mining-and-me/article_b6fbc538-941d-11ec-96d6-8331ea568bf2.html

Mining is integral to who we are on the Range, and the good paying job I've had in industry is the kind of position that I would love to see more people get to experience. I've been able to raise build my homes and raise my family on just one income, and that is a rare thing in our modern economy.
  • Minnesota is past the proverbial crossroads that people always talk about in elections: In 2022, a DFL majority took control of the Governor's office, the MN House by 4 seats and MN Senate by a margin of one.If the Democratic Party members in both chambers would work in good faith with their minority party companions, there would be little alarm, but the DFL has effectively cut out the voice of 49% of the voting public by passing bills with little to no input from the Republicans, except where bonding is concerned. We need balance in government so that all of our state is represented, so that everyone has a seat at the table and place to bargain from.
  • Mining is the the beginning and end of everything good on the Iron Range. While we've had ups and downs in the mining economy, we've also enjoyed 140+ years in this industry which has provided jobs for countless thousands of people, put kids through college and pumped millions of dollars into education, healthcare and regional infrastructure. We have a solid 100 years ahead in mining, and my goal is to sustain and expand our industry here. Iron Mining continues to carry the region, today, and Copper-Nickel and other precious metal mining will only add to the mineral-rich economy we now enjoy. Responsible mining of our precious metal resources, thereby building the future of the region, and country, is a huge priority of mine.
  • The Trifecta has pushed Minnesotans into a tough spot. With record inflation nationally, our taxpayers need a break. That's why I'll push for new formula's that give all Minnesotan's relief on property taxes, which are now penalizing to an extreme level our citizens who have already paid a premium in taxes and materials to build a better life for themselves.By spending roughly 19 billion in surplus monies, and committing to 10 billion in additional spending, the DFL has grown government by about 40%. There's no way that most Minnesotans think that is a responsible way to spend taxpayer dollars. This is a reckless and irresponsible way to govern that must stop, and with a GOP House majority, it will.
Energy policy is a top priority of mine.

Year on year, we see insane rate increases in electricity, which is making it harder for homeowners across the state to afford their monthly bills. The so-called "carbon free by 2040" bill that was passed by the DFL Trifecta will continue to ratchet up costs for consumers, especially industry and small businesses that provide jobs to our citizens.

This year, in April, we saw a foundry close in Hibbing MN. The main reason was the high cost of power. We lost 90 good paying, union jobs at the facility, which is now said to be permanently closed. I will seek to lift the moratorium on nuclear power, and embrace reliable legacy power producers that use coal and natural gas.
I look up to my dad, who passed away 18 years ago this August. He was one of the kindest and most loving people that I have ever know. He wanted to take care of his family and be good to his friends and neighbors. He was a dedicated Christian, a great husband and dedicated father, and I only wish more of my kids had been able to know him.
Making yourself accessible to your constituents is of high importance. I've heard a lot of complaints that people contact their legislator and never hear back from them.
The ability to communicate with people. I've often been in a role that puts me between two groups of people, or thoughts, and often can help find a solution or at least support a way forward
Among our greatest responsibilities is that of listening to the needs of our constituents. As a Township elected official, I have fielded plenty many calls to get things done for my constituents, and some of those only serve in a capacity that lets people know another responsible party that they may need to reach, which cuts back to accessibility. Either way, the job is to serve the people, whether they voted for you or not.
One that grows opportunity for Iron Rangers, and maintains a free state for our citizens.
The Challenger space shuttle explosion on January 28, 1986. I was nine at the time.
Besides cutting grass with a gas powered push-mower since about 10 at my parents house, washing plant pots at a local greenhouse with my neighbor, Gary was my first paying job. I think it was $4 and hour, and lasted about 2 weeks. I had to forego a family trip to Valley Fair to be there, but I learned a lot!
One where the Legislators drive the agenda, as the voice of the people, and the Governor operates in good faith them.
Tax and energy policy that doesn't end domestic industry and small business
Yes. As a twice elected official to our local township board, I can say that getting some experience is a huge help in working with people and other governmental entities. Neither of my current opponents have been successful in winning any elections to date.
Of course. You should always seek to build trust, and understand those that you work with. I've worked in a facility that currently has over 1,300 hourly employees. I've rarely had a time that an ideology or attitude kept us from forging on and getting the job done. As I've told my kids as they have come of age to get work and share that space with others, you are paid to get along at your job.

This same perspective I would take with me to the State House of Representatives. We may or may not agree on a great many things, but having friendships where you can and a solid base of understanding where you can't will serve my constituents best as they expect us to get work done for the people that put us there.
I don't feel that calling, but I didn't feel it necessary to run for State Representative either, until September of last year when I realized what out of control government was doing to our state. I have no additional plans but to work hard for my district, when elected in November.
I've heard about difficulties that exist within the foster-to-adopt care situations in the state, where good families are pulled back and forth while fostering children that are in impossible situations, and it feels like there is an endless bureaucracy that lives between the state and the families that want to help these kids have a forever home. While I recognize this is complicated to get right and very important work, I would seek to find ways to lower the cost and long wait times for families that are trying to care for these kids, long term.
The legislature should overhaul the way emergency powers are acquired, if at all granted.

The voice of the people was disregarded, time and again, in the early years since 2020. One person should not have (the perceived or actual) total control of the resource in government in our state.

We are elected to represent the people (it's part of the job title, after all) and when that power is ceded to the Governor, we are no longer doing the full job we are elected to do.
Likely a bill to lift the moratorium on nuclear power. We will never get a balanced energy policy that works for the people and doesn't bankrupt our employers without that and other adjustments to the current energy plans.
8th District Congressman Pete Stauber

St. Louis County Republican Party
Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association

NRA-PVF
Environment and Natural Resources, Climate and Energy, Labor and Industry, Public Safety, Transportation, Children and Families
At the end of all things in private life, there really are no secrets, and government should be no different. There is no "government spending" only spending of taxpayer money by the government. Seeing where the money comes from and where it goes was one of the reasons I ran (and won) a race for Township Supervisor in March of 2020. The financial dealings of government and its operators must be within the reach of the public to see.
We don't need endless initiatives. We have representative government, and it needs to do its job.

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Campaign finance summary


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Cal Warwas campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024Minnesota House of Representatives District 7BWon general$95,447 $89,812
Grand total$95,447 $89,812
Sources:OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Scorecards

See also:State legislative scorecards andState legislative scorecards in Minnesota

Ascorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

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See also


External links

Officeholder

Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B

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  • Footnotes

    1. 1.01.1Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 15, 2024

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Dave Lislegard (D)
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B
    2025-Present
    Succeeded by
    -


    Leadership
    Speaker of the House:Lisa Demuth
    Majority Leader:Harry Niska
    Minority Leader:Jamie Long
    Representatives
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    District 1B
    District 2A
    District 2B
    District 3A
    District 3B
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    District 4B
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    District 15B
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    District 19B
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    District 20B
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    District 22B
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    District 33B
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    District 34B
    Xp Lee (D)
    District 35A
    District 35B
    District 36A
    District 36B
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    District 37B
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    District 64B
    District 65A
    District 65B
    District 66A
    District 66B
    District 67A
    District 67B
    Republican Party (67)
    Democratic Party (67)


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