Larry Kraft (born January 24, 1966) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), Kraft represents District 46A, which includes the city of St. Louis Park in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and parts of Hennepin County.[1][2]
Larry Kraft | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 46A district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Ryan Winkler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 24, 1966 |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Lauri |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | St. Louis Park, Minnesota |
| Education | Cornell University (BS) (MBA) |
| Occupation | Legislator |
| Website | Government website Campaign website |
Early life, education and career
editKraft received his bachelor's degree in computer science and his masters in business administration from Cornell University.[1]
Kraft worked in the tech industry but left to become executive director of iMatter, a national nonprofit based in the Twin Cities focused on youth activism pushing for solutions to climate change.[3][4] He helped mentor student groups that advocated for St. Louis Park to adopt a climate action plan.[5][6]
Kraft has served in many capacities for the city of St. Louis Park, including as a city council member, environment and sustainability commissioner, and a member of the climate action plan committee and the steering committee for St. Louis Park arts and culture strategic framework development.[1] While on the city council, he was the lone dissenting vote on a ban of vaping products and e-cigarettes, saying it was getting ahead of federal regulations.[7] In January 2022, Kraft led a coalition of 16 Minnesota cities that declared a climate emergency and urged the state legislature to address the crisis.[4][8]
Minnesota House of Representatives
editKraft was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022. He first ran after redistricting and after seven-term DFL incumbent Ryan Winkler announced he would run for Hennepin County Attorney.[1]
Kraft serves as vice chair of the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Commerce Finance and Policy, Sustainable Infrastructure Policy, and Transportation Finance and Policy Committees.[1]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Larry Kraft | 16,013 | 97.88 | |
| Write-in | 347 | 2.12 | ||
| Total votes | 16,360 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic (DFL) hold | ||||
Personal life
editKraft lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, with his wife, Lauri, and has two children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Kraft, Larry - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ "Rep. Larry Kraft (46A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ Covington, Hannah (November 30, 2018). "From city halls to the State Capitol, Minnesota youths lead the charge in climate crisis". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ a b Hyatt, Kim (January 19, 2022). "'We have a lot to lose': 16 Minnesota cities declare climate emergency, urge legislative action". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ Klecker, Mara (December 27, 2019). "High schoolers step up to help run the Twin Cities". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ Dunbar, Elizabeth (2017-03-21). "After prodding from youth, cities get tough on climate". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ Klecker, Mara (January 7, 2020). "St. Louis Park to ban sale of vaping products, e-cigarettes". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ Kraker, Dan (2022-01-20). "Cities across Minnesota declare climate emergencies". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 46A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.