A former star from Bravo TV is stepping away from his party-filled lifestyle in the Hamptons to pursue a political career. He aims to challenge a sitting Republican in rural Minnesota.
Luke Gulbranson, who gained fame on “Summer House,” has decided to leave the entertainment industry and return to his roots in Iron Range, Minnesota. He plans to run for Congress in the state’s 8th District.
Now working as a youth hockey coach, Gulbranson has criticized rising living costs and issues related to foreign policy, mentioning conflicts like the ongoing situation in Iran.
“We’re spending billions of dollars a day in Iran while our own citizens struggle to make ends meet,” he shared in an interview.
“Inflation is at 3.3%, which is just ridiculous,” he added.
Growing up in Everett, Gulbranson experienced life on welfare. Moving to bustling New York City and the Hamptons felt like a major shift, where financial struggles seemed non-existent.
“I was chasing a dream with no real support,” he reflected on his transition from a small town of approximately 3,000 people to the fast-paced world of modeling. He first moved to New York City at just 19, eventually finding himself in China on his own.
During his time on “Summer House,” he was involved in various adventures filled with parties and relationship drama among a group of friends vacationing in the Hamptons. He also took on acting roles, appearing in the comedy-drama “The Flight Attendant” on HBO Max.
“It was completely different from what I was used to,” he noted.
Gulbranson became disenchanted with the excesses of the wealthy in New York. While on the show, he was part of a love triangle involving co-stars Ciara Miller and Hannah Berner and ultimately decided to leave, criticizing the manufactured drama promoted by producers.
“My roots are deep in this soil, and I take pride in where I come from,” he said. He described Minnesotans as hardworking folks, expressing frustration over tax cuts for the wealthy while everyday people struggle.
“Talking about these issues really ignited something in me,” he noted.
Gulbranson is looking to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Pete Stover, whom he claims has been ineffective and disconnected from the concerns of local voters regarding healthcare and living expenses.
In the primary, he will face other Democrats including Emanuel Anastos, Wendell Smith, and Trina Swanson. Reflecting on how his reality TV past might affect his political ambitions, Gulbranson acknowledged the friendships he formed in the industry.
“We need to raise funds, and I think there are creative ways to support the campaign,” he said. “But I’m still just a kid from northern Minnesota. My family, friends, and our way of life mean everything to me,” he concluded.
