Emily Larson


Emily Larson is an American politician and the current mayor of Duluth, Minnesota. She is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Emily Larson was elected Mayor of Duluth in November 2015 and inaugurated on January 4th, 2016. Prior to becoming Mayor, She was President of the Duluth City Council. She also served as a Commissioner on the Duluth Economic Development Authority, a board member of the Great Lakes Aquarium, Visit Duluth, and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, and was the Council conduit to Parks and Libraries.

Life and education

Larson was born and raised in St. Paul, the youngest of three children. Her mother, a poet, and her father, an information technology worker, divorced when she was 10 years old, but both later remarried. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in social work from the College of St. Scholastica and later earned a Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. A graduate of the Intermedia Arts Creative Community Leadership Institute, Larson served on the advisory committee that developed the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program.
She has worked in Duluth for CHUM, a charity assisting homeless people and people at high risk for homelessness, and as a consultant to other non-profit organizations. She owns a small business that specializes in helping non-profits.

Political career

Larson finished first in the 2011 election for an at-large city council position, and was elected president of the Duluth City Council.

Mayor of Duluth

In November 2015 Larson won election as the first female mayor of Duluth, with almost 72% of the total votes. She was inaugurated on January 4, 2016, at a ceremony held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

Personal life

She is married to Doug Zaun, co-owner of Duluth-based design firm Wagner Zaun Architecture, and together they have two sons.
Larson is an active trail runner and fitness enthusiast.

Electoral history

Voters could cast up to two votes