Ben Bakeberg
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ben Bakeberg
| state_house = Minnesota
| district = 54B
| predecessor = Tony Albright
| term_start = January 3, 2023
| constituency = 54B (2023-present)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|07|15}}
| birth_place =
| residence = Jordan, Minnesota
| education = University of Northwestern – St. Paul (BS)
Minnesota State University, Mankato (MS)
| party = Republican
| occupation = {{hlist|Educator|Legislator}}
| spouse = Lindy
| children = 3
| website = {{URL|https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15569|Government website}} {{URL|https://www.benbakebergmn.com/|Campaign website}}
}}
Ben Bakeberg (born July 15, 1978) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Bakeberg represents District 54B south of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Prior Lake and parts of Scott County.{{Cite web |title=Bakeberg, Ben - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=15569 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=www.lrl.mn.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Rep. Ben Bakeberg (54B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15569 |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}
Early life, education and career
Bakeberg received his Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul, and his Master's in science in education leadership from Minnesota State University Mankato.
He worked as the principal of Jordan Middle School in Jordan, Minnesota.{{Cite web |last=Furst |first=Randy |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Laurie Schmidt, Minnesota Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2020, dies at 57 |url=https://www.startribune.com/laurie-schmidt-minnesota-middle-school-teacher-of-the-year-in-2020-dies-at-57/600092333/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Star Tribune}}
Minnesota House of Representatives
Bakeberg was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022. He first ran after redistricting and after five-term Republican incumbent Tony Albright announced he would not seek reelection and resigned to take a lobbying job.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Rochelle |date=August 3, 2022 |title=Prior Lake legislator Tony Albright leaves office early for new job |url=https://www.startribune.com/prior-lake-legislator-albright-leaves-office-early-for-new-job/600195460/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Star Tribune}}
Bakeberg serves on the Education Finance and Education Policy Committees.
= Political positions =
Bakeberg's 2024 campaign slogan is "strong families, strong communities, and strong schools."{{Cite web |title=Re-Elect Ben Bakeberg {{!}} House of Representatives District 54B |url=https://benbakebergmn.com |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Re-Elect Ben Bakeberg {{!}} House of Representatives District 54B |language=en-US}}
Bakeberg opposed legislation that would require Minnesota high schools to offer an ethnic studies course, saying: "Diversity makes us stronger. Learning different perspectives makes each of us, just simply at a basic level, better human beings. However, local school districts across the state are already doing this, and they don't need us to mandate."{{Cite web |last=Faircloth |first=Ryan |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Bills would require Minnesota students to take ethnic studies, personal finance classes |url=https://www.startribune.com/bills-would-require-minnesota-students-to-take-ethnic-studies-personal-finance-classes/600255677/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Star Tribune}}
Bakeberg, who has overseen a school lunchroom as a teacher and principal, said a bill guaranteeing a daily breakfast and lunch to all students "does not ensure that every student will be full" and would not eliminate school lunch debt because some children may choose to get extra meals: "Kids are saying, 'I need an extra entrée, I need a la carte' and kids continue to be hungry because of the federal lunch guidelines."{{Cite web |last=Bakst |first=Brian |date=2023-02-09 |title=As hunger rises in Minnesota, House passes school meals for all bill |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/02/09/as-hunger-rises-in-minnesota-house-passes-school-meals-for-all-bill |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=MPR News |language=en}}
During a committee hearing on Minnesota's literacy requirements, Bakeberg said that whole language and balanced literacy programs are "quite possibly one of the greatest frauds in education in the past 40 years". He added, "We cannot abandon our children for those interested in protecting their pockets—money—and protecting systems that are more comfortable for adults than they are for kids."{{Cite web |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=2023-05-04 |title=Walz, state lawmakers look to transform how Minnesota kids are taught to read |url=https://www.minnpost.com/education/2023/05/walz-state-lawmakers-look-to-transform-how-minnesota-kids-are-taught-to-read/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2022 Minnesota State House - District 54B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=462&show=Go|title=2022 Results for State Representative District 54B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ben Bakeberg
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 12,317
| percentage = 60.70
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Brendan Van Alstyne
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 7,962
| percentage = 39.24
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 14
| percentage = 0.07
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 20,293
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
|title = 2024 Minnesota State House - District 54B{{cite web |title=2024 Results for All State Representative Races |url=https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/Results/Index?ersElectionId=170&scenario=StateRepresentative |website=Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=18 November 2024}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate =Ben Bakeberg (incumbent)
| votes = 15,807
| percentage =61.94
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| candidate = Jean Lee
| votes =9,696
| percentage =37.99
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes =18
| percentage =0.07
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes =25,521
| percentage =100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
Personal life
Bakeberg lives in Jordan, Minnesota, with his wife, Lindy, and has three children.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{MN-legdb|15569}}
- [https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15569 Official House of Representatives website]
- [https://www.benbakebergmn.com/ Official campaign website]
{{Minnesota House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bakeberg, Ben}}
Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Category:University of Northwestern – St. Paul alumni
Category:Minnesota State University, Mankato alumni