John Burkel

John Burkel
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 1A district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 5, 2021
Preceded byDan Fabian
Personal details
Born (1967-04-06) April 6, 1967 (age 57)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJoni
Children5
Residence(s)Badger, Minnesota, U.S.
EducationNorth Dakota State University
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website

John Burkel (born April 6, 1967) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2021. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Burkel represents District 1A in northwest Minnesota, which includes the city of Thief River Falls and parts of Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, and Pennington Counties.[1][2]

Early life, education, and career

Burkel grew up in Greenbush, Minnesota, and attended Greenbush High School.[3] He is a fourth-generation farmer.[1] 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 pardoned Popcorn, a turkey belonging to Burkel, in the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation.[5][6] Burkel was vice chair of the National Turkey Federation.[7] During a 2015 outbreak of avian flu, he testified to the Minnesota Legislature about the flu's impact on turkey farmers.[8][9]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Burkel was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020 and was reelected in 2022. He first ran after five-term incumbent Dan Fabian announced he would not seek reelection and encouraged Burkel to run.[10]

Burkel serves on the Agriculture Finance and Policy and Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committees and the Property Taxes Division of the Taxes Committee.[1]

In 2022 after an outbreak of avian flu, Burkel spoke in support of passing emergency funding.[11][12] In response to legislation to limit the movement of farmed deer to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, he advocated that the state compensate farmers for their financial losses.[13] Burkel has argued that the government's support of ethanol has harmed livestock farmers who use corn for feed.[14]

Burkel and Representative Deb Kiel introduced bills increasing vocational education for high school students.[15] He also introduced legislation to reform county engineer residency laws so rural counties could find one easier.[16] Burkel opposed mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

Electoral history

2020 Republican Primary for Minnesota State House - District 1A[18]
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
2020 Minnesota State House - District 1A[19]
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
2022 Minnesota State House - District 1A[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Burkel (incumbent) 13,575 76.20
Democratic (DFL) James Sceville 4,229 23.74
Write-in 10 0.06
Total votes 17,814 100.0
Republican hold
2024 Minnesota State House - District 1A
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Burkel (incumbent) 17,420 76.07
Democratic (DFL) James Sceville 5,466 23.87
Write-in 14 0.06
Total votes 22,900 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

Burkel lives in Badger, Minnesota with his wife, Joni, and has five children. He is Catholic.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Burkel, John - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  2. ^ "Rep. John Burkel (01A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  3. ^ a b "Burkel, John". MinnesotaLegislative Reference Library. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Stender, Carol (June 2, 2011). "Burkel comfortable in turkey industry". Post-Bulletin. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Zak, Dan (November 27, 2013). "Popcorn the turkey wins presidential pardon, but Caramel also spared Thanksgiving feast". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  6. ^ Gunderson, Dan (November 21, 2013). "Minnesota turkey goes up for presidential pardon". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  7. ^ Gunderson, Dan (November 21, 2012). "Corn prices hit livestock farmers' bottom line". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  8. ^ Hughlett, Mike (April 24, 2015). "Turkey farmer John Burkel describes the shock of losing his flock". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  9. ^ BJERGA, ALAN (September 12, 2015). "USDA looking at ways to insure farmers against future bird flu outbreaks". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  10. ^ "Burkel to represent District 1A at the state capitol". Page1Publications. November 22, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  11. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (April 7, 2022). "Minnesota legislators approve $1 million for bird flu response". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  12. ^ The Associated Press (April 7, 2022). "Minnesota Legislature approves emergency $1M for bird flu". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  13. ^ Stanley, Greg (April 4, 2022). "Minnesota lawmakers would ban new captive deer farms to prevent spread of chronic wasting disease". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  14. ^ Steil, Mark (October 13, 2010). "EPA approves boosting ethanol limit in gas to 15 pct". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Scheinoha, April (February 26, 2021). "Kittson County receives support in quest for county engineer". Thief River Falls Times & Northern Watch. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  17. ^ Berkel, Jessie Van (July 13, 2020). "Face masks remain symbol of division as Gov. Tim Walz considers mandate". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  18. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 1A Primary". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  19. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 1A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  20. ^ "2022 Results for State Representatives". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 7, 2021.