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 St. 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. She 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 ran for an open seat created by legislative redistricting and the retirement of one-term DFL incumbent Todd Lippert. 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.