Kristi Pursell
Kristi Achor Pursell (born February 9, 1981) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Pursell represents District 58A in southern Minnesota, which includes the city of Northfield and parts of Dakota, Rice, and Scott Counties. Early life, education and career 
Pursell was born in Rochester, Minnesota, and graduated from Saint Olaf College with a bachelor's degree in English and environmental studies. She also received a graduate certificate in environmental education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Pursell served five years as the Executive Director of Clean River Partners, an environmental non-profit organization based in Northfield. She also has been a leader within grassroots organizations, including the Land Stewardship Project, ISAIAH MN, and TakeAction MN. She also worked as executive director of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. Minnesota House of Representatives 
Pursell was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022. She first ran for an open seat created by legislative redistricting and the retirement of one-term DFL incumbent Todd Lippert. Pursell serves as vice-chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Elections Finance and Policy, Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy, and Education Finance Committees. Political positions 
Pursell authored a bill that would restore a citizens' oversight board to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that would be able to approve or deny agency policy. The previous board was eliminated in an end-of-session deal in 2015. According to Pursell, she introduced the bill, which ran into opposition from rural legislators, because, "I’ve heard from many Minnesotans who feel like the MPCA treats industry as its clients rather than centering people and our natural environment". In 2023, Pursell authored bipartisan legislation that would fund rural broadband infrastructure across the state. In final negotiations, DFL leadership announced $100 million in rural broadband spending, which Pursell called "the largest commitment the state has made to date for broadband". Electoral history

Personal life 
Pursell lives in Northfield, Minnesota, with her husband, Michael, and has two children. References

External links 

 Official House of Representatives website
 Official campaign website

Living people
Democratic Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
1981 births