Natalie Zeleznikar (/zɪˈlɛznɪkɑːr/ zil-EZ-nik-ar; born September 9, 1966)[1] is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Zeleznikar represents District 3B in northern Minnesota, which includes the cities of Hermantown, Two Harbors, and Rice Lake, and parts of Lake and St. Louis Counties.[2][3]
Natalie Zeleznikar | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 3B district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mary Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 9, 1966 St. Francis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Dan |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Fredenberg Township, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Education | University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (BS) |
| Occupation | |
| Website | Government website Campaign website |
Early life, education, and career
editZeleznikar grew up on a farm in St. Francis, Minnesota, and graduated from St. Francis Public Schools. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, earning a bachelor's degree in health care administration.[4]
She has worked as a nursing home administrator owner/operator in health care administration for 30 years.[2][4] Zeleznikar is a breast cancer survivor and wrote a book about her experience.[5]
Minnesota House of Representatives
editZeleznikar was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022. She defeated 23-term DFL incumbent Mary Murphy by 0.15 percent, triggering an automatic recount under state law, after which Zeleznikar was declared the winner by 33 votes.[2][6]
Zeleznikar serves on the Children and Families Finance and Policy, Human Services Finance, and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committees.[2]
Political positions
editZeleznikar has criticized "heavy handed regulations" for hurting the nursing home industry, as well as gaps in funding and labor shortages.[4] During the 2023 legislative session, she advocated that more funding be allocated to supporting seniors and nursing homes.[7] She opposed the year's tax bill and criticized DFLers for raising the gas tax, vehicle tab tax, and instituting a delivery tax on certain orders.[8]
In her campaign, Zelznikar's top three issues were mental illness, supporting businesses through tax cuts, and fixing the education system.[4] She said she would "fund the police, not defund the police, which led to increased murder rates and increased violent crime".[4] Zeleznikar is anti-abortion, believes viability begins at conception, and supports regulations on abortion such as a 24-hour waiting period and banning abortion during the second and third trimesters.[9]
Zeleznikar attacked her opponent, Mary Murphy, for being in office for 46 years and said she signed "a pledge to honor term limits for myself" without saying what the term limit was.[4] Zeleznikar opposed funding for the Northern Lights Express, a high-speed passenger rail line that will connect Minneapolis and Duluth.[10]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Natalie Zeleznikar | 10,813 | 50.00 | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Mary Murphy (incumbent) | 10,780 | 49.85 | |||
| Write-in | 31 | 0.14 | ||||
| Total votes | 21,624 | 100.0 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) | ||||||
Personal life
editZeleznikar lives in Fredenburg Township, Minnesota, with her husband, Dan and their two children. She is Lutheran and attends Peace in Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown.[2]
References
edit- ^ Representative-Elect Natalie Zeleznikar and Roger Skraba. PBS North. December 10, 2022. Event occurs at 00:23. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c d e "Zeleznikar, Natalie - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ "Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar (03B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ a b c d e f Hollingsworth, Jana (October 27, 2022). "Questions on candidates? Here's a guide to Duluth area elections". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ Lawler, Christa (December 7, 2022). "Two Republicans appear to have won tight northeastern Minnesota House races after recount". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ Faircloth, Ryan. "State Canvassing Board certifies Minnesota's election results". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ Ferguson, Dana (2023-04-13). "Nursing homes press MN lawmakers for financial help". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ Bakst, Brian (2023-05-22). "Minnesota Legislature enters final day after taxing weekend". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ Orenstein, Walker (2022-07-18). "Handful of DFLers who oppose abortion could be key to DFL keeping MN House". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ Kraker, Dan (2023-05-23). "State lawmakers fast-track passenger rail between Duluth and the Twin Cities". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 3B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.