MN 2nd District 'Legal Marijuana Now' Candidate Dies

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Paula Overby, the Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate in Minnesota's Second District race, died Wednesday at 68.

"Cheryl and I were saddened to hear of Paula Overby’s passing this morning, and we are sending our deepest condolences to Paula’s family and friends at this difficult time," Second District Rep. Angie Craig said in a statement.

"Minnesota is better for her involvement in our community and she will be missed."

The candidate's son, Tyler, told Minnesota Public Radio that Paula was recently hospitalized with a heart valve problem.

Overby's death marks the second time in two campaign cycles that the Legal Marijuana Now candidate in the Second District died.

In 2020, candidate Adam Weeks died weeks before the November election, triggering a legal battle over whether the election should be delayed. A federal judge ultimately ruled that the election had to take place on Nov. 3, as scheduled.

"This is a very sad day for Minnesota's Second District," Tyler Kistner, the Second District Republican candidate, said of Overby's death on Wednesday.

"Paula Overby cared deeply about our state, and the principles she believed in. It was an honor to have gotten to know Paula. My thoughts and prayers go out to Paula's family and friends during this difficult time."