{{short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Deb Kiel | state = Minnesota | state_house = Minnesota | district = 1B | term_start = January 4, 2011 | term_end = January 14, 2025 | preceded = Bernard Lieder | succeeded = Steve Gander | constituency = 1B (2011-present) | party = Republican | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|08|31}} | birth_place = Crookston, Minnesota, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | education = Concordia College | occupation = {{hlist|Farmer| Homemaker|Legislator}} | spouse = Lonn | children = 4 | website = {{URL|https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15353|Government website}} {{URL|https://debkiel.org/|Campaign website}} }}
'''Debra L. Kiel''' ({{IPAc-en|k|iː|l}} {{respell|KEEL}};<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/pronunciation |title=Name Pronunciation Guide for House Members 2023|website=Minnesota Legislature|access-date=August 23, 2024}}</ref> born August 31, 1957) is an American politician who served from 2011 to 2025 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Kiel represented District 1B in northwest Minnesota, which includes the cities of Crookston and East Grand Forks and Norman, Polk, Clay, and Red Lake Counties.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us">{{Cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=15353|title=Kiel, Debra "Deb" - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present|website=www.leg.state.mn.us|access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Debra Kiel (01B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15353 |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref>
==Early life, education, and career== Kiel was born and raised on a farm south of Crookston, Minnesota. She graduated from Crookston High School and attended Concordia College in Moorhead.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us" />
Kiel was a member of the Crookston School Board for seven years, serving as its chair and treasurer. She and her husband are sugar beet farmers.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us" />
==Minnesota House of Representatives== Kiel was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2010 and was reelected every two years until 2022. She defeated 13-term DFL incumbent Bernard Lieder.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us" />
Kiel served as the minority lead of the Human Services Policy Committee and on the Health Finance and Policy and Ethics Committees. From 2015 to 2016, she served as an assistant majority leader, and from 2017 to 2018 she chaired the Subcommittee on Aging and Long-Term Care, a subcommittee of the Health and Human Services Reform Committee.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kimball |first=Joe |date=2014-12-03 |title=New majority Minnesota House GOP caucus sets leadership team |url=https://www.minnpost.com/political-agenda/2014/12/new-majority-minnesota-house-gop-caucus-sets-leadership-team/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref>
In January 2024, Kiel announced she would not seek reelection that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Debra Kiel - RELEASE: Rep. Deb Kiel Announces Retirement After 7 Terms |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/news/15353/49001 |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=www.house.mn.gov |language=en}}</ref>
=== Health care and long-term care === Kiel supported increasing funding for student loan forgiveness for doctors who agree to practice in rural areas, and increasing that program to include nurses, dentists, and mental health workers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Jeremy |date=February 20, 2015 |title=With rural doctors in short supply, Minnesota lawmakers consider more financial incentives |url=https://www.startribune.com/with-rural-minn-doctors-in-short-supply-lawmakers-weigh-more-incentives/293104531/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Star Tribune Editorial Board |first= |date=September 1, 2017 |title=EDITORIAL {{!}} Albert Lea flap spotlights need to help small hospitals recruit, retain medical providers |url=https://www.startribune.com/albert-lea-flap-spotlights-need-to-help-small-hospitals-recruit-retain-medical-providers/442514483/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Associated Press |date=February 2, 2015 |title=At Capitol, plans for addressing rural health care |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/02/01/at-capitol-plans-abound-for-addressing-rural-health-care |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> She opposed increasing the state tobacco tax, saying people in her district would drive to North Dakota to buy cigarettes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scheck |first=Tom |date=April 24, 2013 |title=Minn. House passes bill raising tax on income, alcohol, tobacco |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/04/24/minn-house-passes-bill-raising-tax-on-income-alcohol-tobacco |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref>
As chair of the subcommittee on aging, Kiel introduced legislation to better protect seniors from retaliation when they report elder abuse and establish work groups to review crimes against vulnerable adults like those with dementia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serres |first=Chris |date=March 6, 2018 |title=Legislative auditor: Minnesota failing to protect vulnerable adults in senior facilities |url=https://www.startribune.com/legislative-auditor-is-set-to-release-report-on-abuse-in-minnesota-senior-homes/475967963/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Tim |date=April 9, 2018 |title=Here's what's happening at the state Capitol this week |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/04/09/whats-happening-at-state-capitol-this-week |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> She co-authored an op-ed arguing that employers need to "hold on" to older workers to solve workforce shortage issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Paul |last2=Halverson |first2=Laurie |last3=Kiel |first3=Debra |date=October 18, 2019 |title=Tapping older workers is key to solving state's workforce problem |url=https://www.startribune.com/tapping-older-workers-is-key-to-solving-state-s-workforce-problem/563412512/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
==== Abortion ==== Kiel opposes abortion rights and has sponsored legislation to increase inspection requirements at abortion facilities and require them to be specially licensed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ricardo |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Minnesota House backs ban on state dollars for abortion |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-house-backs-ban-on-state-dollars-for-abortion/420302543/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Golden |first=Erin |date=January 22, 2017 |title=Republican gains bring fresh hope as abortion foes rally |url=https://www.startribune.com/abortion-foes-rally-in-st-paul-on-roe-v-wade-anniversary/411467235/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Renault |first=Marion |date=March 4, 2015 |title=As abortion bills surface, new debates over women's health |url=https://www.startribune.com/as-abortion-bills-surface-new-debates-over-women-s-health/294461851/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> She has called for audits of Planned Parenthood and said it should be able to show it is "not marketing baby parts".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howatt |first=Glenn |date=August 15, 2015 |title=Local Planned Parenthood weathers storm |url=https://www.startribune.com/local-planned-parenthood-weathers-storm/321969731/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
=== Other political positions === In 2011, Kiel was one of four Republican representatives to vote against roughly $1 billion in budget cuts to local government aid and higher education.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nord |first=James |date=2011-01-27 |title=House passes GOP's first 'budget fix' — but only by 5 votes |url=https://www.minnpost.com/political-agenda/2011/01/house-passes-gops-first-budget-fix-only-5-votes/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grow |first=Doug |date=2011-01-28 |title=Vote on budget-cutting bill gives GOP first look at how hard it can be holding a majority caucus together |url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2011/01/vote-budget-cutting-bill-gives-gop-first-look-how-hard-it-can-be-holding-maj/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref> She visited Israel and the West Bank in 2019 with a bipartisan delegation from the Minnesota legislature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Multiple authors |first= |date=December 11, 2019 |title=OPINION EXCHANGE {{!}} Counterpoint: Yes, we state legislators belong in the Mideast. Here's why we're there. |url=https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-yes-we-state-legislators-belong-in-the-mideast-here-s-why-we-re-there/566105471/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
== Electoral results ==
{{Election box begin no change | title = 2010 Minnesota State House - District 1B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=69&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=356&show=Go|title=2010 Results for State Representative District 1B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debra "Deb" Kiel | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 6,528 | percentage = 50.48 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Bernie (Bernard) L. Lieder (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party | votes = 6,397 | percentage = 49.47 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 7 | percentage = 0.05 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 12,932 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box gain with party link without swing | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota | loser = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = 2012 Minnesota State House - District 1B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=1&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=356&show=Go|title=2012 Results for State Representative District 1B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debra "Deb" Kiel (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 9,401 | percentage = 51.90 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Marc Demers | party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party | votes = 8,685 | percentage = 47.95 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 27 | percentage = 0.15 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 18,113 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = 2014 Minnesota State House - District 1B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=20&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=356&show=Go|title=2014 Results for State Representative District 1B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debra "Deb" Kiel (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 7,176 | percentage = 55.61 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Eric Bergeson | party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party | votes = 5,721 | percentage = 44.34 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 6 | percentage = 0.05 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 12,903 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = 2016 Minnesota State House - District 1B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=100&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=356&show=Go|title=2016 Results for State Representative District 1B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debra "Deb" Kiel (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 11,895 | percentage = 64.75 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Michael "Mike" Moore | party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party | votes = 6,458 | percentage = 35.15 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 19 | percentage = 0.10 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 18,372 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = 2018 Minnesota State House - District 1B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=115&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=356&show=Go|title=2018 Results for State Representative District 1B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debra "Deb" Kiel (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 10,026 | percentage = 65.94 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Brent Lindstrom | party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party | votes = 5,173 | percentage = 34.02 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 6 | percentage = 0.04 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 15,205 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 1B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=356&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 1B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debra "Deb" Kiel (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 13,904 | percentage = 70.90 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Cindy Ansbacher | party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party | votes = 5,687 | percentage = 29.00 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 19 | percentage = 0.10 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 19,601 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change | title = 2022 Minnesota State House - District 1B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=356&show=Go|title=2022 Results for State Representative District 1B|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debra "Deb" Kiel (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 10,878 | percentage = 71.13 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Cindy Ansbacher | party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party | votes = 4,399 | percentage = 28.76 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 16 | percentage = 0.10 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 15,293 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}
==Personal life== Kiel married her husband, Lonn, in 1977. They have four children and 12 grandchildren. Kiel is active at her home church, Our Savior’s Lutheran. Lonn ran three unsuccessful campaigns against Bernard Lieder before Deb unseated him.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us" />
On March 20, 2023, Kiel announced she had a stroke while at the State Office Building, and returned home to recover.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Dana |date=March 20, 2023 |title=Crookston Rep. Deb Kiel recovering from stroke |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/03/20/crookston-rep-deb-kiel-recovering-from-stroke |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref>
Kiel's great-grandfather, John Perry, a Crookston farmer, represented Polk County in the Minnesota House during the 1921-22 biennium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14296|title = Perry, John T. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{MN-legdb|15353}} * [https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15353 Official House of Representatives website] * [https://debkiel.org/ Official campaign website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiel, Debra}} Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:People from Crookston, Minnesota Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives Category:Women state legislators in Minnesota Category:Concordia College (Moorhead, Minnesota) alumni Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Lutherans from Minnesota Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature