John Burkel

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John Burkel
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 1A district
Assumed office
January 5, 2021
Preceded byDan Fabian
Personal details
Born (1967-04-06) April 6, 1967 (age 54)
Political partyRepublican Party of Minnesota
Spouse(s)Joni
Children5
ResidenceBadger, Minnesota
EducationNorth Dakota State University

John Burkel (born April 6, 1967[1]) is an American farmer and politician serving as a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 1A since 2021.[2] The district includes all of Kittson, Roseau, and Marshall as well as portions of Pennington counties in northwestern Minnesota.[3]

Early life, education, and career[]

Burkel grew up in Greenbush, Minnesota and attended Greenbush High School.[1] He is a fourth generation farmer. He attended North Dakota State University for two years to pursue a degree in business and economics but dropped out to work at his family's turkey farm.[4]

President Obama pardons Popcorn the turkey in 2013

President Barack Obama pardonded Popcorn, a turkey belonging to Burkel, for the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation.[5][6]

Minnesota House of Representatives[]

Burkel was first elected in 2020, succeeding Rep. Dan Fabian who had encouraged him to run.[7]

Tenure[]

Burkel, along with Rep. Deb Kiel, introduced bills increasing vocational education for high school students.[8] He also introduced legislation that would reform county engineer residency laws so rural counties could find one easier.[9]

Committees[]

Burkel serves on the following committees:[2]

  • Agriculture Finance and Policy
  • Human Services Finance and Policy
  • Industrial Education and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Electoral history[]

Minnesota House of Representatives District 1A 2020 Republican primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Burkel 3,167 90.85
Republican David Lion 193 5.65
Republican Brian Meehan 126 3.61
Total votes 3,486 100.0
Minnesota House of Representatives District 1A 2020 genera election results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Burkel 15,169 72.75
Democratic (DFL) Connie Lindstrom 5,670 27.19
Write-in 13 0.06
Total votes 20,852 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life[]

Burkel lives with his wife Joni in Badger, Minnesota.[4] The two have five children. He is Catholic.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Burkel, John". MinnesotaLegislative Reference Library. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Rep. John Burkel". Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Kurtz, Adam (November 3, 2020). "Johnson, Kiel and Burkel get wins in Minnesota's District 1". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Stender, Carol (June 2, 2011). "Burkel comfortable in turkey industry". Post-Bulletin. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Shalwani, Pervaiz (November 24, 2013). "For Thanksgiving Turkeys, Presidential Pardon Gig Takes Practice". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  6. ^ Zak, Dan (November 27, 2013). "Popcorn the turkey wins presidential pardon, but Caramel also spared Thanksgiving feast". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  7. ^ "Burkel to represent District 1A at the state capitol". Page1Publications. November 22, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  8. ^ Bailey, Ann (February 13, 2021). "During early weeks of Minnesota legislative session, Reps. Deb Kiel and John Burkel back technical education idea for high school students". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  9. ^ Scheinoha, April (February 26, 2021). "Kittson County receives support in quest for county engineer". Thief River Falls Times & Northern Watch. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  10. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 1A Primary". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  11. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 1A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 8, 2021.

External links[]

Political offices
Preceded by Minnesota State Representative for District 1A
2021 - 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Retrieved from ""