Todd Lippert

Summary

Todd Lippert (born January 26, 1977)[1] is an American politician and former pastor who served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2022. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 20B which includes the city of Northfield and portions of Le Sueur and Rice County in south-central Minnesota.[1]

Todd Lippert
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 20B district
In office
January 7, 2019 – January 2, 2023
Preceded byDavid Bly
Succeeded byKristi Pursell
Personal details
Born (1977-01-26) January 26, 1977 (age 47)
Larchwood, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
EducationUniversity of Iowa (BM)
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (MDiv)

Early life and education edit

Lippert was born in Larchwood, Iowa.[2] He attended the University of Iowa, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in music performance. He later attended the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, graduating with a Master of Divinity in theology.[1]

Career edit

Lippert served as a pastor in local churches from 2003 to February 2020. He served as a senior minister at the United Church of Christ in Northfield, Minnesota, from 2012 to 2020.[2]

Minnesota House of Representatives edit

Lippert was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018, winning the seat left open by former representative David Bly, who announced his retirement in February 2018.[3] Lippert stated that he became active in politics through his work as a pastor, getting involved in faith-based groups such as ISAIAH Minnesota which led to him wanting to run for office.[4] During the 2021–2022 session, Lippert served as an assistant majority leader. In January 2022, Lippert announced he would not seek re-election for a third term, stating that he would like to continue working to help Democrats connect with rural communities.[5]

While in the legislature, Lippert authored many bills relating to rural communities, small farmers, soil and water health, and combating climate change.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Alongside Republican Mike Goggin, Lippert advocated for a "Farm to School" program to get local produce into school lunches.[12] He proposed a ban on chlorpyrifos, the most widely used pesticide for soybean farms in Minnesota, and which can cause brain damage in children.[13] In 2022, he authored a bill creating a carbon trading program alongside Senator Dave Senjem.[14] Lippert also worked with senate republicans to pass a bill that increased the minimum wage of caregivers employed by the state through Medicaid.[15][16]

2021–2022 committee assignments: [1]

  • Agriculture Finance and Policy
  • Climate and Energy Finance and Policy
  • Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
  • Human Services Finance and Policy: Behavioral Health Policy

2019–2020 committee assignments: [1]

  • Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy
  • Environment and Natural Resources Policy
  • Labor
  • Long Term Care
  • State Government Finance

Electoral Results edit

2020 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 20B [17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Todd Lippert 12,585 52.5% -2.8%
Republican Joe Moravchik 11,366 47.4% +2.7%
2018 Election for Minnesota State Representative District 20B [18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Todd Lippert 10,925 55.3% N/A
Republican Josh Gare 8,819 44.7% N/A%

Personal life edit

Lippert and his wife, Sara, have three children. They reside in Northfield, Minnesota.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Lippert, Todd". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Weyhe, Philip (March 22, 2018). "Lippert announces candidacy for District 20B seat". Lonsdale News Review. Adams Publishing Group. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. ^ Weyhe, Philip. "Rep. Bly announces retirement from Legislature". Southernminn.com. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  4. ^ "2019 New Member Video - Minnesota Legislature". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  5. ^ "Lippert will not run for re-election - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  6. ^ Smith, Kelly. "Nonprofits lobby Legislature to fund program that helps low-income residents buy at farmers' markets". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  7. ^ Aamot, Greg (2021-05-07). "More cover crops could help Minnesota's soil and water. What do farmers think about it?". MinnPost. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  8. ^ Stanley, Greg. "Novel crops can save rural Minnesota's drinking water, U says". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  9. ^ "Walz signs bill aiding Minnesota farmers facing foreclosure". Twin Cities. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  10. ^ Koehler, Amanda (2021-02-09). "Economic justice, for people and the land | Opinion". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  11. ^ Orenstein, Walker (2022-04-12). "Why high gas prices may doom the chances of Minnesota adopting low-carbon fuel standards". MinnPost. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  12. ^ Lippert, Todd; Goggin, Mike. "OPINION EXCHANGE | 'Farm to School' bill: Now's the time for local foods in our schools". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  13. ^ Stanley, Greg. "Lawmakers consider banning Minnesota's most widely used pesticide". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  14. ^ Bjorhus, Jennifer; Webster, MaryJo. "Ethanol's clean air benefits clouded by greenhouse gas emissions". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  15. ^ St Anthony, Neal. "Minnesota home-health workers, PCA industry could use a financial boost". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  16. ^ St Anthony, Neal. "St. Anthony: Legislature fell short on help for Minnesota's most vulnerable preschool kids". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  17. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 20B - Index - Election Results". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  18. ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 20B - Index - Election Results". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2022-08-07.

External links edit

  • Todd Lippert at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
  • Official House of Representatives website
  • Official campaign website