The Minnesota House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the State Legislative Branch. Composed of 134 members from across the state there approval is needed for any new law, tax change, or budget allocation. The State House is currently made up of 69 Democrats and 64 Republicans.
House District 58A includes all of Dundas, Lonsdale, and Bridgewater TWP, all of Northfield within Rice County, and the Northern half of New Prague. View a map here
Candidates:
Kristi Pursell – DFL
Gary Bruggenthies – R
Find all the 2022 Election Results Here
Candidate forum from the League of Women Voters of Northfield & Cannon Falls:
Kristi Pursell
Q. Please list any current political offices you hold. Please list any previous political office you've held.
A. n/a
Q. Please list any civic, community, or professional organizations/clubs your a part of.
A. I am Executive Director of Clean River Partners (formerly Cannon River Watershed Partnership), I served on the City of Northfield's Climate Action Plan Water sub-committee, I was appointed to the City of Northfield's Riverfront Enhancement Advisory Committee and serve on the Northfield School District's Finance Advisory Board and am a Rotarian.
Q. What qualifies for the office your running for?
A. My strong values, work ethic, and belief that we're all in this together qualify me to run for this office. I want to improve the lives of EVERY Minnesotan. I belief that the Government is us and it is exactly as effective as we decide it should be: it can be used as a power for good to support each other at our most difficult moments, and it can be the rising tide that lifts all boats, but as a society, we must decide if that's what it should be used for.
Q. What inspired you to run for office?
A. I'm inspired to run for office because I know we can, and must, do better for the future of Minnesotans young and old- no matter your zip code, your race or religion, your gender or your political party. I believe we all want the same things for our families and communities and when rural places get painted with a broad brush, many feel left behind. I want to bring the lessons learned from working with rural leaders on clean water, soil health, and climate and the gains we've made in those areas state-wide!
Q. What is something that you would like to accomplish while in office?
A. I would love to champion the ways rural Minnesotans can be leaders on taking bold climate action. I want to do more to support farmers and rural landowners doing the right things that benefit all of us in terms of clean air and water, healthy soil, and mitigating climate change.
Q. What does being a leader mean to you?
A. Being a leader is a great responsibility. It's about making tough decisions that will benefit people's lives, and may not make everyone happy. I want to be a leader that listens to those most directly impacted by decisions since I believe those people are also closest to the solutions we need. I would be humbled and honored to be elected to serve the people of 58A in the Minnesota House.
Gary Bruggenthies
Gary Bruggenthies has not completed the 2022 Election Guide Questionnaire. Find more information about him on his campaign website.
Logan Wells is the Election Guide Editor. You can contact him here.
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