Robert Bierman (politician)
Robert Bierman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 56A district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Erin Maye Quade |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 29, 1960 |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Ellen |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Apple Valley, Minnesota |
| Education | University of Minnesota (B.A.) |
| Occupation | |
| Website | Government website Campaign website |
Robert Bierman (born September 29, 1960) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Bierman represents District 56A in the southern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Apple Valley and parts of Dakota County.[1][2]
Early life, education, and career
[edit]Bierman grew up with 11 siblings. He attended the University of Minnesota, earning a B.A. in history.[1]
Bierman owns Bierman's Home Furnishings in Northfield, Minnesota, a business his family started over 100 years ago. He previously served as president of his local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.[3]
Minnesota House of Representatives
[edit]Bierman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018, and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran after one-term DFL incumbent Erin Maye Quade announced she would not seek reelection to run for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota with gubernatorial candidate Erin Murphy.[4] Bierman earned the DFL endorsement and won a five-candidate primary election.[4] He was sworn in on January 10, 2019, two days after the beginning of his term, as he was hospitalized for an infection.[5] In 2020, Bierman had his election results challenged, but a judge dismissed the case for failing to state a claim and a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.[1]
Bierman serves as vice chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy, Commerce Finance and Policy, and Ethics Committees. From 2021 to 2022, he served as vice chair of the Preventative Health Policy Division of the Health Finance and Policy Committee.[1]
Bierman has spoken out about the opioid epidemic, and carried legislation that would make a potential merger between the Fairview and Sanford health systems require approval from the state health commissioner before going through, citing concerns it could affect health care cost and access.[6][7][8] He authored legislation to fund electric vehicle charging stations in state parks, paid for by fees Xcel Energy pays to the state to store nuclear energy waste, and a bill to prepare for weatherization of homes.[9][10]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Robert Bierman | 1,655 | 45.42 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Linda Garrett-Johnson | 1,116 | 30.63 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Roxanne B Mindeman | 507 | 13.91 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Kyle Koch | 220 | 6.04 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Jake Cassidy | 146 | 4.01 | |
| Total votes | 3,644 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Robert Bierman | 12,006 | 54.53 | |
| Republican | Matt Lundin | 9,296 | 42.22 | |
| Libertarian | Matthew Swenson | 704 | 3.20 | |
| Write-in | 11 | 0.05 | ||
| Total votes | 22,017 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Robert Bierman (incumbent) | 15,574 | 55.70 | |
| Republican | Megan Olson | 12,357 | 44.20 | |
| Write-in | 28 | 0.10 | ||
| Total votes | 27,959 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Robert Bierman (incumbent) | 10,786 | 60.02 | |
| Republican | Joe Landru | 7,168 | 39.89 | |
| Write-in | 16 | 0.09 | ||
| Total votes | 17,970 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Robert Bierman (incumbent) | 13,750 | 61.22 | |
| Republican | Angela Zorn | 8,687 | 38.68 | |
| Write-in | 24 | 0.11 | ||
| Total votes | 22,461 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
Personal life
[edit]Bierman lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota, with his wife, Ellen, and has two children.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Bierman, Robert - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ "Rep. Robert Bierman (56A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ Star Tribune Editorial Board (October 31, 2018). "EDITORIAL | Election endorsements: The picks in House Districts 49A, 52B, 54A and 57A". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ a b Van Berkel, Jessie (August 13, 2018). "Minnesota House candidates, from Minneapolis to Iron Range, face contested primaries". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ Dexter, Patty (January 10, 2019). "Rep. Robert Bierman misses first day of session due to being hospitalized". Sun Thisweek. Adams Publishing Group. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
- ^ Forgrave, Reid (February 15, 2020). "Woman's battle vs. chronic pain expands to Minnesota's opioid laws". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ Olson, Jeremy (January 30, 2023). "Minnesota lawmakers weigh options for additional review of Fairview-Sanford merger". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ Griffith, Michelle (2023-01-30). "House Democrats want state authority over health care consolidations in Minnesota". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ Orenstein, Walker (2021-03-04). "Electric vehicles are coming to Minnesota. Republicans and Democrats have very different ideas on how state government should respond". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ Jossi, Frank (2022-04-04). "Minnesota bill aims to close a gap on funding for 'pre-weatherization' work". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 57A Primary". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 57A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 57A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 56A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Results for All State Representative Races". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved 18 November 2024.