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 by | David Bly |
Succeeded by | Kristi Pursell |
Personal details | |
Born | Larchwood, Iowa, U.S. | January 26, 1977
Political party | Democratic |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Iowa (BM) United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (MDiv) |
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]
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]
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]
2019–2020 committee assignments: [1]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Todd Lippert | 12,585 | 52.5% | -2.8% | |
Republican | Joe Moravchik | 11,366 | 47.4% | +2.7% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Todd Lippert | 10,925 | 55.3% | N/A | |
Republican | Josh Gare | 8,819 | 44.7% | N/A% |
Lippert and his wife, Sara, have three children. They reside in Northfield, Minnesota.[1]