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Ron Kresha

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Ron Kresha
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 10A district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byredistricted
Personal details
Born (1969-12-16) December 16, 1969 (age 54)
Columbus, Nebraska
Political partyRepublican
SpouseWendy
Children5
ResidenceLittle Falls, Minnesota
EducationSt. Cloud State University (B.A.)
Bellevue University (M.B.A.)
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website

Ron Kresha (/ˈkriːʃə/ KREE-shə;[1] born December 16, 1969) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2013. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Kresha represents District 10A in north-central Minnesota, which includes the city of Little Falls and parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Morrison Counties.[2][3]

Early life, education and career

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Kresha was born in Columbus, Nebraska, where he attended Scotus Central Catholic High School. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.A. in English and from Bellevue University with a M.B.A. in finance and accounting.[2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Kresha was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2012 and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran for an open seat following legislative redistricting.[2] In 2022, Kresha faced a primary challenge from the right, leading the House Republican Caucus to increase spending in the district to defend his seat.[4][5]

Kresha serves as the minority lead on the Education Finance Committee and also sits on the Ways and Means Committee. He served as an assistant majority leader from 2015 to 2016 and as majority whip for the Republican House caucus from 2017 to 2018.[2][6] In 2018, after the retirement of Joyce Peppin, Kresha's name was floated as a potential replacement.[7]

Education

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In 2015, Kresha supported bipartisan legislation to expand early learning scholarships for disadvantaged children, and a bill to target preschool funding to low-income families.[8][9][10] He opposed legislation that would create a Department of Early Childhood.[11] He has called for focusing on improving math and literacy scores before legislators "throw money" at the public school system, and called DFL funding proposals "unrealistic".[12][13]

Kresha has largely opposed Governor Tim Walz's education proposals, calling them "mandates" and saying they would "indoctrinate students with messages that focus on our nation's flaws".[14][15][16] He also criticized the Walz administration's handling of grant oversight after the Feeding our Future investigation uncovered one of the largest federal fraud cases in state history.[17] He opposed language requiring comprehensive sex education in elementary and secondary schools.[18]

Kresha has co-authored bills that seek to change the state constitution's language guaranteeing all children the fundamental right to a quality public education, and criticized Education Minnesota, the state's largest teachers' union, for its opposition to the proposal.[19][20][21]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kresha sponsored legislation to allow local school leaders to determine their own school reopening plans, arguing against a "one-size-fits-all" approach.[22][23][24][25] He also advocated for allowing districts to hold in-person graduation ceremonies.[26][27]

School choice

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Kresha is a supporter of the school choice movement, and authored legislation to expand school choice and offer tax credits and scholarships to families whose students opt out of public schools.[28][29] He has argued that more opportunities for private schools would help close the state's education achievement gap.[30][31]

Child protection laws

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Kresha was a member of Governor Mark Dayton's Task Force on the Protection of Children, and authored the group's 11-point plan to reform the state's child protection laws.[32][33][34] The legislation included a provision to mandate child protection reports be sent to law enforcement, and would rank child safety above keeping families intact.[35] The bill unanimously passed the Minnesota House in 2015.[36] He has called for better training of front-line child protection workers.[37][38]

Other political positions

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Kresha has co-sponsored legislation to provide broadband subsidies to rural communities, saying the private market alone would not provide full broadband coverage.[39][40][41] He authored a bill to fund an opioid prevention pilot project in his district.[42] Kresha abstained from a vote to declare racism a public health crisis in the state, saying it was "forcing an opinion based on words".[43]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kresha criticized Walz's emergency orders and Attorney General Keith Ellison for taking legal action against business owners who opened bars in defiance of the orders.[44][45]

Kresha authored a law that prohibits government contracts from being issued to vendors who boycott Israel.[46][47] In 2015, he visited Turkey as part of a bipartisan delegation sponsored by the Niagara Foundation, a nonprofit organization with ties to Fethullah Gulen.[48]

Electoral history

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2012 Minnesota State House - District 9B[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Kresha 9,881 52.97
Democratic (DFL) Adrian Welle 8,751 46.91
Write-in 23 0.12
Total votes 18,655 100.0
Republican hold
2014 Minnesota State House - District 9B[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Kresha (incumbent) 8,449 56.42
Democratic (DFL) Al Doty 6,518 43.53
Write-in 8 0.05
Total votes 14,975 100.0
Republican hold
2016 Minnesota State House - District 9B[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Kresha (incumbent) 14,139 72.30
Democratic (DFL) Dustin Simmonds 5,402 27.62
Write-in 15 0.08
Total votes 19,556 100.0
Republican hold
2018 Minnesota State House - District 9B[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Kresha (incumbent) 11,802 72.16
Democratic (DFL) Stephen Browning 4,548 27.81
Write-in 5 0.03
Total votes 16,355 100.0
Republican hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 9B[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Kresha (incumbent) 16,855 77.09
Democratic (DFL) Laura Wright 4,979 22.77
Write-in 29 0.13
Total votes 21,863 100.0
Republican hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 10A[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Kresha (incumbent) 15,947 96.31
Write-in 611 3.69
Total votes 16,558 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

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Kresha is married to his wife, Wendy. They have five children and reside in Little Falls, Minnesota.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Name Pronunciation Guide for House Members 2023". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Kresha, Ron". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  3. ^ "Rep. Ron Kresha (10A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  4. ^ Orenstein, Walker (2022-08-08). "GOP factions unpredictable spending wars in GOP legislative primaries". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  5. ^ Winter, Deena (April 5, 2022). "Right-wing insurgents notch a few more wins at GOP conventions". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  6. ^ Kimball, Joe (2014-12-03). "New majority Minnesota House GOP caucus sets leadership team". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  7. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (August 4, 2018). "Primaries for Minnesota governor looking wide open". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  8. ^ Pugmire, Tim (February 5, 2015). "Early learning plans compete for money". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  9. ^ Wastvedt, Solvejg (March 8, 2016). "Bipartisan plan seeks state money for early education". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  10. ^ Wastcedt, Solvejg (April 5, 2016). "Teachers union seeks funds for racial equity in schools". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  11. ^ Eischens, Rilyn (February 24, 2021). "Bill to create a new Department of Early Childhood approved by House committee". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  12. ^ Faircloth, Ryan; Campuzano, Eder (January 22, 2023). "Seeking to 'fully fund' education, Gov. Tim Walz and DFL lawmakers propose billions in new spending". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  13. ^ Pugmire, Tim (April 23, 2019). "Lawmakers begin final push with big differences to resolve". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  14. ^ Bakst, Brian (January 18, 2023). "Walz proposes big increases in school, child care spending". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  15. ^ Condon, Patrick (January 25, 2021). "Gov. Tim Walz's school spending plan has racial equity focus". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  16. ^ Lopez, Ricardo (2021-01-25). "Walz introduces schools plan; GOP critics say it's more of the same". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  17. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (December 28, 2022). "Gov. Tim Walz proposes plan to fight fraud in the wake of Feeding Our Future scandal". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  18. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick; Van Oot, Torey (April 24, 2019). "Minnesota House passes education budget increase, setting up clash with Senate". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  19. ^ Lynn Smith, Mary (January 8, 2020). "Minnesota teachers union opposes constitutional amendment to address achievement gap". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  20. ^ Eischens, Rilyn (February 15, 2021). "Bipartisan group of lawmakers introduces education amendment proposal". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  21. ^ Eischens, Rilyn (February 25, 2020). "Lawmakers introduce bill to amend constitution to address education gaps". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  22. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (July 11, 2020). "House GOP plan gives school districts control over fall classes". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  23. ^ Kresha, Ron; Erickson, Sondra (July 10, 2020). "OPINION EXCHANGE | School reopening is not a one-size-fits-all affair". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  24. ^ Golden, Erin (July 28, 2021). "Minnesota recommends masks in schools, but local districts can decide what they want". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  25. ^ MPR News Staff (June 18, 2020). "State urges schools to prep for it all this fall". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  26. ^ Yang, Hannah (May 8, 2020). "Minn. education officials urge virtual ceremonies for graduating seniors". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  27. ^ Bakst, Brian (May 17, 2020). "Minnesota House defeats attempt to allow in-person graduation ceremonies". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  28. ^ Dupuy, Beatrice (January 24, 2017). "School choice debate kicks off at Minn. State Capitol". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  29. ^ Lonetree, Anthony; Raghavendran, Beena (February 11, 2017). "Minnesota renews fight over school choice options". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  30. ^ Wastvedt, Solvejg (February 9, 2017). "Lawmakers considering help with private school bills". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  31. ^ Hinrichs, Erin (2017-02-23). "Meet Rep. Ron Kresha, the man behind two of the most controversial education bills at the state Capitol". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  32. ^ Kimball, Joe (2014-10-03). "Gov. Dayton names members of new state task force examining child protection system". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  33. ^ Simons, Abby (January 21, 2015). "Task force members unveil child protection legislation, say it's just the beginning". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  34. ^ Collins, Jon (February 4, 2016). "State panel recommends new ways to protect children". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  35. ^ Simons, Abby (January 21, 2015). "Lawmakers launch first initiatives to reform child-protection laws". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  36. ^ Simons, Abby (February 23, 2015). "House passes first measure to reform child protection laws". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  37. ^ Serres, Chris (April 14, 2018). "State training academy proposed for overwhelmed child abuse workers". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  38. ^ Star Tribune Editorial Board (April 23, 2018). "EDITORIAL | After boy's tragic death from abuse, improve child protection training". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  39. ^ Peters, Dave (September 4, 2014). "Dayton panel seeks $200 million more for broadband". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  40. ^ Peterson, David (October 24, 2015). "A disconnect: Money can't buy you broadband in wealthy exurbs". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  41. ^ Bakst, Brian (April 14, 2016). "3 broadband plans, little agreement at the Capitol". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  42. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (2018-04-11). "What, exactly, is the Legislature doing to address the opioid crisis in Minnesota?". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  43. ^ Bakst, Brian; Pugmire, Tim (July 20, 2020). "Lawmakers: Deal near on police changes". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  44. ^ MPR News Staff (May 17, 2020). "Ellison takes legal action to block owner from reopening bars, restaurants". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  45. ^ Nelson, Tim; Marohn, Kristi (May 18, 2020). "Bar owner backs down, won't defy order to remain closed". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  46. ^ Golden, Erin (July 4, 2017). "Minnesota state parks fees rise for first time in a decade". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  47. ^ Millner, Jacob (2017-08-04). "Boycotting Israel for political purposes is unfair and creates a double standard". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  48. ^ Condon, Patrick (December 5, 2015). "Legislators' trip to Turkey was led by nonprofit with controversial ties". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  49. ^ "2012 Results for State Representative District 9B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  50. ^ "2014 Results for State Representative District 9B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  51. ^ "2016 Results for State Representative District 9B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  52. ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 9B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  53. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 9B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  54. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 10A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
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