John Burkel

{{short description|American politician from Minnesota}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = John Burkel | image = | state = Minnesota | state_house = Minnesota | district = 1A | term_start = January 5, 2021 | term_end = | preceded = Dan Fabian | succeeded = | party = Republican | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|4|6}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | education = North Dakota State University | spouse = Joni | children = 5 | constituency = 1A (2021-present) | occupation = {{hlist|Farmer}} | website = {{URL|https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15538|Government website}} {{URL|https://www.burkelforhouse.com|Campaign website}} }}

'''John Burkel''' (born April 6, 1967) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2021. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Burkel represents District 1A in northwest Minnesota, which includes the city of Thief River Falls and parts of Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, and Pennington Counties.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Burkel, John - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=15538 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www.lrl.mn.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. John Burkel (01A) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15538 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref>

==Early life, education, and career== Burkel grew up in Greenbush, Minnesota, and attended Greenbush High School.<ref name="LegDB">{{cite web |title=Burkel, John |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=15538 |access-date=August 8, 2021 |website=MinnesotaLegislative Reference Library}}</ref> He is a fourth-generation farmer.<ref name=":0" /> He attended North Dakota State University for two years to pursue a degree in business and economics but dropped out to work at his family's turkey farm.<ref name="Stender">{{cite web|url=https://www.postbulletin.com/business/business/burkel-comfortable-in-turkey-industry/article_70517c35-390f-5f98-86d0-b75ac9dd95a1.html|title=Burkel comfortable in turkey industry|last=Stender|first=Carol|access-date=August 8, 2021|website=Post-Bulletin|date=June 2, 2011}}</ref>

thumb|President Obama pardons Popcorn the turkey in 2013 President Barack Obama pardoned Popcorn, a turkey belonging to Burkel, in the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/popcorn-the-turkey-comes-out-on-top-in-presidential-pardon-poll/2013/11/27/2a57b2be-56e5-11e3-835d-e7173847c7cc_story.html|title=Popcorn the turkey wins presidential pardon, but Caramel also spared Thanksgiving feast|date=November 27, 2013|access-date=August 8, 2021|last=Zak|first=Dan|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gunderson |first=Dan |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Minnesota turkey goes up for presidential pardon |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/11/21/minnesota-turkey-goes-up-for-presidential-pardon |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> Burkel was vice chair of the National Turkey Federation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gunderson |first=Dan |date=November 21, 2012 |title=Corn prices hit livestock farmers' bottom line |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/11/21/corn-prices-hit-livestock-farmers-bottom-line |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> During a 2015 outbreak of avian flu, he testified to the Minnesota Legislature about the flu's impact on turkey farmers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughlett |first=Mike |date=April 24, 2015 |title=Turkey farmer John Burkel describes the shock of losing his flock |url=https://www.startribune.com/loss-of-flock-from-bird-flu-is-a-shock-to-minn-turkey-farmer/301289151/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=BJERGA |first=ALAN |date=September 12, 2015 |title=USDA looking at ways to insure farmers against future bird flu outbreaks |url=https://www.startribune.com/usda-looking-at-ways-to-insure-farmers-against-future-bird-flu-outbreaks/326795131/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

==Minnesota House of Representatives== Burkel was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020 and was reelected in 2022. He first ran after five-term incumbent Dan Fabian announced he would not seek reelection and encouraged Burkel to run.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 22, 2020 |title=Burkel to represent District 1A at the state capitol |url=https://www.page1publications.com/2020/11/22/burkel-to-represent-district-1a-at-the-state-capitol/ |access-date=August 8, 2021 |website=Page1Publications}}</ref>

Burkel serves on the Agriculture Finance and Policy and Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committees and the Property Taxes Division of the Taxes Committee.<ref name=":0" />

In 2022 after an outbreak of avian flu, Burkel spoke in support of passing emergency funding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=April 7, 2022 |title=Minnesota legislators approve $1 million for bird flu response |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislators-pass-1-million-for-avian-flu-response/600163047/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Associated Press |date=April 7, 2022 |title=Minnesota Legislature approves emergency $1M for bird flu |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/04/07/minnesota-legislature-approves-emergency-1m-for-bird-flu |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> In response to legislation to limit the movement of farmed deer to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, he advocated that the state compensate farmers for their financial losses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Greg |date=April 4, 2022 |title=Minnesota lawmakers would ban new captive deer farms to prevent spread of chronic wasting disease |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-lawmakers-would-ban-new-captive-deer-farms-to-prevent-spread-of-chronic-wasting-disease/600162109/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Burkel has argued that the government's support of ethanol has harmed livestock farmers who use corn for feed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steil |first=Mark |date=October 13, 2010 |title=EPA approves boosting ethanol limit in gas to 15 pct. |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2010/10/13/ethanol |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref>

Burkel and Representative Deb Kiel introduced bills increasing vocational education for high school students.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Ann |date=February 13, 2021 |title=During early weeks of Minnesota legislative session, Reps. Deb Kiel and John Burkel back technical education idea for high school students |url=https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/government-and-politics/6883592-During-early-weeks-of-Minnesota-legislative-session-Reps.-Deb-Kiel-and-John-Burkel-back-technical-education-idea-for-high-school-students |access-date=August 8, 2021 |website=Grand Forks Herald}}</ref> He also introduced legislation to reform county engineer residency laws so rural counties could find one easier.<ref>{{cite web |last=Scheinoha |first=April |date=February 26, 2021 |title=Kittson County receives support in quest for county engineer |url=https://trftimes.com/news/16249/kittson-county-receives-support-in-quest-for-county-engineer |access-date=August 8, 2021 |website=Thief River Falls Times & Northern Watch}}</ref> Burkel opposed mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berkel |first=Jessie Van |date=July 13, 2020 |title=Face masks remain symbol of division as Gov. Tim Walz considers mandate |url=https://www.startribune.com/face-masks-remain-symbol-of-division-as-gov-tim-walz-mulls-mandate/571736462/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

== Electoral history == {{Election box begin no change | title = 2020 Republican Primary for Minnesota State House - District 1A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=135&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=355&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 1A Primary|access-date=August 8, 2021|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = John Burkel | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 3,167 | percentage = 90.85 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = David Lion | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 193 | percentage = 5.65 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Brian Meehan | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 126 | percentage = 3.61 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 3486 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 1A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=355&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 1A|access-date=August 8, 2021|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = John Burkel | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 15,169 | percentage = 72.75 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Connie Lindstrom | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 5,670 | percentage = 27.19 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 13 | percentage = 0.06 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 20,852 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{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 1A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/Index?ersElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative|title=2022 Results for State Representatives|access-date=February 7, 2021|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = John Burkel (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 13,575 | percentage = 76.20 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = James Sceville | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 4,229 | percentage = 23.74 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 10 | percentage = 0.06 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 17,814 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change |title = 2024 Minnesota State House - District 1A }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = '''John Burkel''' (incumbent) | votes ='''17,420''' | percentage ='''76.07''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | candidate = James Sceville | votes =5,466 | percentage =23.87 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes =14 | percentage =0.06 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 22,900 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}

==Personal life== Burkel lives in Badger, Minnesota with his wife, Joni, and has five children. He is Catholic.<ref name="LegDB" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{MN-legdb|15538}} * [https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15538 Official House of Representatives website] * [https://www.burkelforhouse.com Official campaign website]

{{Minnesota House of Representatives}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burkel, John}} Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:People from Roseau County, Minnesota Category:North Dakota State University alumni Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature