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Rita Albrecht is running for State Senate District 5, which includes parts of Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, and Itasca Counties, including the cities of Bemidji, Deer River, Grand Rapids, Cohasset, Coleraine, Bovey, Cass Lake, Walker, Hackensack, Backus, Longville, Federal Dam, and Pine River. She is currently serving her 4th term as Mayor of Bemidji. Mayor Albrecht recently retired as regional director for MN Department of Natural Resources in NW Minnesota. She has had a career in planning at the local, regional, tribal, and state level. Her career includes working for City of Bemidji, Headwaters Regional Development Commission, and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She is a recognized leader in her community and across the state and has served on League of Minnesota Cities board, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities board, Governor’s Workforce Development Board, and Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. When elected, Rita will bring a strong voice for rural women and families to St. Paul. She is anxious to work on increasing fairness, opportunity, and equity for all Minnesotans.
Bonnie Westlin is running for a second time for the Minnesota State Senate in Senate District 34, which includes Maple Grove, Osseo, Dayton and Rogers. Ms. Westlin is a solo practice family law attorney and mediator, and would bring much needed negotiation and consensus-building skills to the legislature. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Shir Tikvah synagogue and chairs the Caring Community, which provides meals, cards, and other support for congregants experiencing life cycle events or medical challenges. Ms. Westlin is active with local gun violence prevention organizations, serving as an Advocacy Day coach in 2018 and 2019 for Moms Demand Action, and is also active with Protect Minnesota. She is committed to passing common sense gun violence prevention measures. Ms. Westlin’s legislative priorities will include access to affordable healthcare for all Minnesotans; fully funding our public education system, including much-needed wrap around services; passing expanded background checks and “red flag” laws; and addressing climate collapse. Ms. Westlin will work to restore decency and integrity to our politics and always prioritize people over profits.
Kelsey Waits is running for Minnesota House of Representatives representing District 54B, which includes Hastings, Afton, Denmark Township, Nininger Township, and portions of Cottage Grove. As a military spouse, THRIVE Hastings Steering Committee member, and Chair of the Hastings School Board, Kelsey has worked hard to advocate for the people in her community and represent their voices at the decision-making table. She is confident, well-organized, knowledgeable, and invested in our future. On the School Board, Kelsey has advocated for more equitable schools, fiscal responsibility, and environmentally friendly practices. In 2019 the Hastings School Board entered into a solar garden contract, with enough credits to cover 100% of the district’s energy use. On THRIVE Hastings, Kelsey has worked closely with community leaders in order to improve the quality of life for all and create a more equitable and inclusive city through conversations, lectures, and educational workshops. Kelsey has also been involved in both county- and state-level government through various committees and lobbying efforts. Kelsey has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a Master’s Degree in Statistics from the University of Connecticut. Kelsey’s legislative priorities include public education funding and ensuring our communities have clean water and affordable healthcare. When elected, Kelsey will be a strong voice for her community with an emphasis on listening to the community and representing their voices as she continues to advocate for environmental responsibility and a more equitable and inclusive state for all.
Lindsay Port is running for the state senate in district 56 representing Burnsville, Lakeville and Savage. Port is a non-profit executive who has spent the last 8 years working to advance progressive values through volunteer work. She is the co-founder and executive director of Blueprint Campaigns, which works to increase leadership in politics by underrepresented communities. When elected, Port will work to invest in an economy that works for all, prioritizes education, and produces sustainable clean energy for our state.
Amanda Matchett is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent Blaine, a northern suburb of the twin cities. Amanda is a practicing healthcare attorney and has experience in human rights and immigration law, as well. Amanda chaired the state bar association's Human Rights Committee and has served as an election judge since 2015. Amanda is an outspoken advocate and will be the proactive, inclusive leader that Blaine needs.
Ann Johnson Stewart is a first-time candidate running for MN Senate in District 44. This district includes Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Woodland. Ms. Johnson Stewart is a successful business woman and civil engineer who employs a diverse staff of 14 people. She's been in business over 20 years, and has worked to create opportunities for women, veterans, and minorities in the construction industry. She has also taught civil engineering and construction at the University of MN and brings years of teaching, collaboration, and management to her role as a new candidate.
Athena Hollins is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 66B, which includes parts of the Hamline-Midway, Como Park, the North End, and the East Side neighborhoods of St. Paul. Athena works as a diversity and inclusion professional and is serving her second term as president of the Payne-Phalen Community Council. Athena is a bold leader in confronting the climate crisis, and she'll stand shoulder to shoulder with her community to combat the skyrocketing costs of childcare, healthcare, and housing. She will be an inclusive, progressive problem solver for all of St. Paul.
Minnesota native and long-time Burnsville resident, Kaela Berg is a first time candidate, running to represent District 56B in the Minnesota State House of Representatives. This district covers most of Burnsville and part of Lakeville. Kaela is running because she is passionate about an economy that works for working families. She has been a union flight attendant for 16 years, a fierce labor activist for over a decade, a non-profit director and an independent consultant. Because of her work and lived experience, she has a deep understanding of the issues faced by working families and a solid commitment to advocate on their behalf. Because of her work and lived experiences, Kaela is unafraid to have difficult conversations. She brings people of varying viewpoints together and creates collaborative spaces. She has a proven track record of showing up and doing the work, and will continue to lead boldly on the issues that matter to her community.