Joe Staloch

Joe Staloch is the Democratic candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives, District 23A, in the November 3, 2026 general election; he advanced from the August 11 Democratic primary.[1][2] A telecommunications professional with a geology degree from Winona State University, he also ran for the seat in 2024.[1][3]

Staloch said in a Ballotpedia survey that he grew up outside Wells on a family hog farm and attended St. Casimir's and United South Central.[3] After earning a geology degree from Winona State, he said, he moved to the Twin Cities and worked in environmental and industrial services, including responding to hazardous spills and protecting public water supplies.[3] In an earlier survey he said he worked ten years for an environmental services company in St. Paul, moved back to the area in 2018, lives in Albert Lea, and works full time for a small local internet service provider.[3]

Staloch lost the 2024 general election for the same seat to Republican Peggy Bennett.[1] In his 2026 survey, he said his campaign priorities include a state school funding approach under which the level of government that mandates a program provides most of its funding, and keeping routine and emergency healthcare available close to home in southern Minnesota.[3] He also urged a yes vote this November on a measure to increase school funding through Minnesota's Permanent School Fund.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.