Matt Bliss defeats Michael Reyes to retain House 2B seat

BEMIDJI — Republican incumbent Matt Bliss will retain his seat representing Minnesota House 2B after defeating Democratic-Farmer-Labor challenger Michael Reyes in Tuesday’s election.

The final unofficial tally placed Bliss in first place with 63.75% of the total votes cast, which was 12,459 compared to Reyes’ 7,010, or 35.87%.

Bliss was first elected to represent District 2B.

in the Minnesota House in 2022, after previously serving in 5A from 2016 until redistricting.

Bliss grew up on a farm and later served in the U.S. Navy, where he received training in communications and electronics. He now owns Bliss Point Resort on Cass Lake and served as CIO for Red Lake Nation.

During his tenure, Bliss served as minority leader on the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and also served on the Finance and Children and Families Policy committees and the Finance and Elections Policy committees.

Reyes is a lifelong resident and enrolled member of the Leech Lake Tribe and currently works for the tribe in planning and development. He is also a volunteer firefighter who has served for over 10 years with the Cass Lake Fire Department.