Senator, Minnesota State Senate, District 7, 2017-2021

Representative, Minnesota State House of Representatives, District 7B, 2012-2017

Former Ranking Minority Member, Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee, Minnesota State House of Representatives

Former Member, Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Legislative Energy Commission, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Property and Local Government Finance Committee, Minnesota State House of Represemtatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Employee Relations, Minnesota State Senate

Former Member, Taxes Committee, Minnesota State House of Representatives

Chief Executive Officer, Lake Superior Zoological Society, 2017-present

Assistant Fire Chief, Duluth Fire Department, 1990-present

District Field Service Representative, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), 2008-2012

President, Local 101, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), 2003-2012

No organizational membership information on file.

Awards:

2013 Freshman Legislator of the Year (CGMC)

2014 Legislator of the Year (MPPOA)

2015 BILLD Fellow (Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development)

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

Family, Friends and Constituents of House District 7B,

Today I announce my campaign for re-election. The past months spent representing both central and western Duluth in the House of Representatives has been an absolutely incredible and inspiring experience. I believe I have worked hard on behalf of my constituency and I am asking for your support to continue those efforts. I am proud to represent all of you in St. Paul, and I do my best to make decisions based on my own principles coupled with the needs of all Duluthians.

In my first year in the House, I was able to secure a chairmanship of the Select Committee on Controlled Substances and Synthetic Drugs. Just last week, my committee completed its work and presented a report to the Speaker of the House with recommendations to further rid our communities of these destructive drugs.

2013 was an incredible year to be a part of Minnesota's Legislature. We made incredible progress in turning Minnesota toward a brighter future. Yes we raised taxes; But we raised taxes on the richest Minnesotans. And we invested that new revenue in an exciting and responsible way. We have now fully paid back the school shift, paying back the debt borrowed by the GOP from our children. We made further strategic investments in K-12 education, provided for free all day kindergarten and froze tuition for college students for two years.

I sat with a working group that re-worked the Local Government Aid formula, and worked to put $80 million in new money into that program. We now have recent data that proves monies put into local aid results in direct property tax relief for citizens.

And I will never forget that historical day when I had the opportunity to vote yes; putting Minnesota on the right side of history by finally having marriage equality for all, regardless of gender.

In addition, I had the opportunity to work on some exciting capital venture initiatives for greater Minnesota, laying the groundwork for further economic development outside the metro area. I also was able to establish a rapport with other out state legislators, working to secure a fair balance between the metro and the rest of Minnesota. After the 2013 session, I was awarded the Freshmen Legislator of the Year Award from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, primarily due to my work with the LGA formula.

And even though the 2014 session has not yet begun, I am excited to continue work on behalf of exciting projects in the bonding bill. Projects like the proposed water line for Spirit Mountain, Wade Stadium improvements and Lake Superior College. I am hoping to pass a new funding mechanism that would allow the city council to make significant and new investments in West Duluth. And 2014 will be the year Minnesota increases the minimum wage; an effort that will provide relief to many Minnesotans and further stimulate our economy at the same time.

I am asking for your support. I will need donations, and I will need sign locations for later in the year. The election is still 9 months off, but campaigns begin early, and I will need your help. Please consider donating, and if you live in 7B, please consider signing up for a yard sign, all of which can be done right here on this website.