Mayor's Office

As the Policy and Government Affairs Officer, John Dukich leads the city’s policy efforts across a range of priorities. John advises the mayor on legislative strategy and intergovernmental relations, coordinates cross-departmental policy initiatives, and represents the city in engagements with local, state, and federal partners, including with elected and appointed officials and the business community.

Prior to joining the City of Duluth, John was the Legislative Affairs Manager at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), where he led the agency’s legislative engagement with the Minnesota Legislature and Governor’s Office, advancing MnDOT’s policy priorities through strategic advocacy, internal coordination, and cross-agency collaboration. John also brings experience from the Minnesota High Tech Association, where he directed the association’s advocacy and research efforts to advance policy priorities in support of Minnesota’s innovation economy. There he focused on broadband policy and funding, workforce development, tax incentives, and early-stage capital access, translating industry needs into actionable policy proposals and strategic investments.