Kristi Pursell

Kristi Achor Pursell (born February 9, 1981) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Pursell represents District 58A in southern Minnesota, which includes the city of Northfield and parts of Dakota, Rice, and Scott Counties.[1][2]

Kristi Pursell
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 58A district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byTodd Lippert
Personal details
Born (1981-02-13) February 13, 1981
Rochester, Minnesota
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
SpouseMichael
Children2
ResidenceNorthfield, Minnesota
EducationSt. Olaf College (BA)
University of Minnesota, Duluth
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website

Early life, education and career

Pursell was born in Rochester, Minnesota, and graduated from Saint Olaf College with a bachelor's degree in English and environmental studies. She also received a graduate certificate in environmental education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.[1]

Pursell served five years as the Executive Director of Clean River Partners, an environmental non-profit organization based in Northfield. She also has been a leader within grassroots organizations, including the Land Stewardship Project, ISAIAH MN, and TakeAction MN.[3] She also worked as executive director of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership.[4]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Pursell was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022. She first ran for an open seat created by legislative redistricting and the retirement of one-term DFL incumbent Todd Lippert.[1]

Pursell serves as vice-chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Elections Finance and Policy, Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy, and Education Finance Committees.[1]

Political positions

Pursell authored a bill that would restore a citizens' oversight board to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that would be able to approve or deny agency policy. The previous board was eliminated in an end-of-session deal in 2015.[5] According to Pursell, she introduced the bill, which ran into opposition from rural legislators, because, "I’ve heard from many Minnesotans who feel like the MPCA treats industry as its clients rather than centering people and our natural environment".[6]

In 2023, Pursell authored bipartisan legislation that would fund rural broadband infrastructure across the state. In final negotiations, DFL leadership announced $100 million in rural broadband spending, which Pursell called "the largest commitment the state has made to date for broadband".[7]

Electoral history
2022 Minnesota State House - District 58A[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Kristi Pursell 11,362 54.48
Republican Gary Bruggenthies 9,481 45.46
Write-in 13 0.06
Total votes 20,856 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

Personal life

Pursell lives in Northfield, Minnesota, with her husband, Michael, and has two children.[1]

References
  1. "Pursell, Kristi - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  2. "Rep. Kristi Pursell (58A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  3. THOMPSON, PAMELA. "Clean River Partners executive director announces bid for House of Representatives seat". Southernminn.com. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  4. Bjorhus, Jennifer (April 16, 2021). "Conservationists mend fragmented habitat in Cannon River area of Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  5. Way, Ron (March 27, 2023). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Restore citizen voices to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency process". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  6. Orenstein, Walker (2023-03-15). "Critical of MPCA, some Minnesota DFLers want citizens board back". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  7. Orenstein, Walker (2023-03-24). "How far will Minnesota lawmakers' $100 million broadband spending plan go?". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  8. "2022 Results for State Representative District 58A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
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