Rob Stewart is a married father of one — with another child on the way — who’s busy working toward a doctorate degree at the University of Minnesota.
He’s also a convicted felon who served a two-year prison sentence, and then completed probation upon his release, stemming from a conviction for drug possession.
On Wednesday, Stewart was among a widening coalition of Minnesotans pushing to automatically restore voting rights for felons once they’re released from prison. It’s a push that has gained momentum and high-profile supporters this legislative session, with statewide officials like Gov. Tim Walz and Secretary of State Steve Simon saying they back it.