Minnesota Capitol. Photo by Minnesota House Public Information Services.
Editor’s note: Over the next couple weeks, the Reformer will be introducing readers to the 22 new state House members and one new state senator.
Voters on Nov. 5 elected 22 new members of the Minnesota House, including 14 freshmen Republicans and eight new Democratic-Farmer-Labor members.
The Minnesota House is split evenly between Democrats and Republicans 67-67, meaning that each new member can wield considerable influence not typically seen among freshman legislators. New members typically follow the lead of their caucus, as they are still learning how the Capitol operates.
Given the 67-67 tie, however, new members can withhold their vote and gum up the entire caucus agenda.
The Reformer reached out to all 22 new members. Most haven’t responded yet. (Email us!) The following five new members spoke with the Reformer about why they ran for office and what they hope to accomplish at the Legislature.
Rep. Steve Gander, R-East Grand Forks
Steve Gander is currently the mayor of East Grand Forks and a practicing optometrist. Gander, 63, said he and his junior high friend used to talk about serving in the state Senate together. While he focused on growing his optometry practice, his childhood friend ended up later becoming a state senator and even made a bid for governor: Dave Thompson. Gander, who will represent House District 1B, said he’s focused on listening to others and absorbing their ideas.
“When you show up to an unfamiliar place, close your mouth, listen and learn,” Gander said. “There’s so many good people down there on both sides of the aisle with so much experience and knowledge, and I want to tap into all of that and really round out my own knowledge before I start to gain traction on different issues.”
He said his top issues will be public safety, infrastructure, rural health care and agriculture. Gander said he has experience working with Democrats throughout his career in city government, and he’s confident he can do the same in the Legislature.
Gander in his free time likes to stay active by scuba diving, hunting, fishing and even skydiving.
Rep. Pete Johnson, DFL-Duluth
Pete Johnson is a full-time Duluth firefighter and a union officer for 16 years. Johnson is replacing influential DFL Rep. Liz Olson. Johnson, 43, said he wanted to run for Minnesota House because he hopes that he can solve the underlying issues — like lack of stable housing — that cause people to require the help of his first responder colleagues.
“Something might manifest that causes a person to call 911, but there’s underlying problems that led to that point. My hope is that by addressing some of those things earlier in people’s lives, less of them find themselves in that position of needing to call someone like us,” Johnson said.
His top issues include affordable housing and making life more affordable for middle-class Minnesotans. Johnson, who will represent House District 8A, said he’s prepared to work with Republicans to get things done, as will be necessary in a split Legislature.
Johnson grew up near Two Harbors, Minnesota, and his house didn’t have electricity, running water or indoor plumbing until he was about nine years old. Johnson said growing up in that house with his siblings was “a character-builder.”
Rep. Max Rymer, R-North Branch
Max Rymer is a co-owner of a digital marketing agency and has been involved in Minnesota Republican politics for about a decade. Rymer, 33, ran for a Bloomington House seat in 2016. Two years ago, Rymer worked on Scott Jensen’s Republican campaign for governor. After living in Chisago County for about four years, Rymer said it felt like a good time to jump into the race after the retirement of longtime Rep. Anne Neu Brindley.
Rymer, who will represent House District 28B, said his top issues include making a friendlier business climate and ensuring Minnesotans are not overburdened by taxes.
In terms of working with Democrats, Rymer said he’d like to see what kind of power-sharing agreement the two caucuses come up with, but he believes Democrats will have to prove they’re willing to compromise.
“The (DFL is) used to getting their way,” Rymer said. “They’re going to have to be the ones that come to the table in a real way, in a real sense, knowing that Minnesotans have voted for a split Legislature.”
Rymer has three kids, and he — as a theater minor — said he loves to perform karaoke in his free time.
Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen, R-Montevideo
Scott Van Binsbergen is an entrepreneur and Montevideo native. Van Binsbergen, 55, served as a staff member to then-Republican U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, and he said he wanted to run for the House because now Minnesota “is a challenging place to do business.”
“Democrats have moved so far to the left. We had an $18 billion surplus that has disappeared, they’ve raised taxes, they’ve overspent,” Van Binsbergen said. “In business, we budget. We plan. The government needs to have a little bit more of that as well.”
Van Binsbergen, who will represent House District 16A, said his top issues include taxes, economic development and agriculture.
Van Binsbergen has three kids and is a longtime Minnesota sports fan.
Rep. Aaron Repinski, R-Winona
Aaron Repinski is currently a Winona City Council member and he runs a Mississippi River tour boat company.
Repinski, 51, said he wanted to run for Minnesota House because he wants to be an influential voice for people in the Winona area.
His top issues include the economy, public safety and education. Repinski said he has long been “a unifier” and is ready to work with his Democratic colleagues to pass legislation.
“In my four years on the Winona City Council, I’ve really been able to bring people together and have conversations and find meaningful solutions to different groups and bring them together,” Repinski said. “That’s what I really hope to carry into the state level.”
Repinski, who will represent House District 26A, is also a wedding officiant and estimates he has performed about 100 weddings for Winona-area couples. He also has a hypnosis act for casino appearances, proms and company parties.