{{short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Josh Heintzeman | image = Rep.Heintzeman10A.jpg | district = | constituency = District 6B (2023–present)<br/>District10A (2015–2023) | term_start = January 6, 2015 | term_end = | preceded = John Ward | succeeded = | party = Republican | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|12|5}} | birth_place = Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | education = Central Lakes College (AA) | occupation = {{hlist|Small business owner|Legislator}} | spouse = Keri Heintzeman | children = 6 | website = {{URL|https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15435|Government website}} {{URL|https://joshheintzeman.com/|Campaign website}} | office = Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives }}
'''Joshua Heintzeman''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|aɪ|n|t|s|m|ən}};<ref>{{cite AV media |date=January 19, 2024|title=Informational interview with Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa).|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNQ-eSSOya4&list=PL215WnxBOAeyXWJ0vxGNTE73L4CL6PU7i&index=15|publisher=MNHouseInfo|via=YouTube|access-date=August 20, 2024 |time= 10:22}}</ref> born December 5, 1977) is a Minnesota politician serving since 2015 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Heintzeman represents District 6B, which includes the city of Brainerd and parts of Crow Wing County in central Minnesota.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Heintzeman, Joshua "Josh" - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?id=15435 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=www.lrl.mn.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Josh Heintzeman (06B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15435 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref>
==Early life, education, and career== Heintzeman was born in Bloomington, Minnesota, and his family moved to Motley, Minnesota, when he was an infant. He graduated from Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota, with an associate degree in business.<ref name=":0" />
Heintzeman served as the Thirty Lakes Watershed District Manager and is a member of the Brainerd Chamber of Commerce. He also chaired the Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission and the Crow Wing County Republicans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biershbach |first=Briana |date=2014-11-11 |title=How the House GOP conquered rural Minnesota |url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2014/11/how-house-gop-conquered-rural-minnesota/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref> He runs a family-owned custom wood interiors business.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Condon |first=Patrick |date=May 30, 2015 |title=In Minnesota, special sessions aren't very special anymore |url=https://www.startribune.com/in-minnesota-special-sessions-aren-t-very-special-anymore/305577411/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
==Minnesota House of Representatives== Heintzeman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2014, defeating four-term DFL incumbent John Ward, and has been reelected every two years since.<ref name=":0" />
Heintzeman serves as the minority lead for the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Legacy Finance and Ways and Means Committees. From 2019 to 2020, he served as an assistant minority leader, and has served on the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keen |first=Judy |date=December 1, 2018 |title=Minnesota House Republican leaders prepare for minority role |url=https://www.startribune.com/gop-leadership-team-prepares-for-minority-role/501712192/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Coolican |first=J. Patrick |last2=Van Berkel |first2=Jessie |date=May 11, 2018 |title=Republicans at the Legislature suggest tapping lottery trust fund for public works |url=https://www.startribune.com/republicans-at-the-legislature-look-for-new-ways-to-borrow-big-for-public-works/482391911/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
=== Environment and natural resources === As co-chair of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, Heintzeman advocated using lottery money proceeds for local public works projects such as wastewater treatment plants, and supported using funding to build a National Loon Center in Crosslake, Minnesota.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Greg |date=June 5, 2019 |title=Minnesota lawmakers approve $4 million to build National Loon Center in Crosslake |url=https://www.startribune.com/state-approves-4m-to-build-national-loon-center-in-minnesota/510833382/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> He authored legislation to fund a field test to detect chronic wasting disease in live deer, and has supported a government buyout of deer farms in the state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Greg |date=February 18, 2019 |title=First deer with chronic wasting disease found outside SE. Minnesota |url=https://www.startribune.com/another-cwd-deer-is-found-this-one-near-brainerd/505901582/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><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=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
Heintzeman offered an amendment to a 2020 bonding bill that would have blocked efforts to challenge the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=October 17, 2020 |title=Minnesota legislators push past politics to strike bonding deal |url=https://www.startribune.com/legislators-push-past-politics-to-strike-bonding-deal/572783862/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> He has been critical of Governor Tim Walz's efforts to use rule-making to adopt stricter car emission standards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bjorhus |first=Jennifer |last2=Stanley |first2=Greg |last3=Bierschbach |first3=Briana |date=May 5, 2021 |title=Senate Republicans threaten to cut funding for MN state parks over 'clean cars' rule |url=https://www.startribune.com/senate-republicans-threaten-to-cut-funding-for-minnesota-state-parks-environmental-programs-over-cle/600053570/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bjorhus |first=Jennifer |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Minnesota adopts 'clean car' rules requiring more electric vehicles |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-adopts-clean-cars-standard-that-require-more-electric-vehicles/600081556/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Heintzeman has opposed state efforts to regulate PFAS chemicals, arguing action should be taken at the federal level.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marohn |first=Kristi |date=February 13, 2022 |title=Bills would ban 'forever chemicals' from cosmetics, cookware, ski wax |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/02/13/bills-would-ban-forever-chemicals-from-cosmetics-cookware-ski-wax |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ricardo |date=February 10, 2022 |title=DFL bills would ban PFAS in cookware, cosmetics and ski wax |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/dfl-bills-would-ban-use-of-pfas-in-cookware-cosmetics-and-ski-wax/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Other political positions === Heintzeman said he believes private businesses should have the right to refuse services to same-sex couples, citing religious objections as a reason to deny service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Tim |date=November 19, 2014 |title=New Republicans in the MN House vow to set the agenda |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/11/19/republicans-minnesota-house |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Bob |date=November 20, 2014 |title=In hate speech from GOP leader, a question of values |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/11/20/in-hate-speech-from-gop-leader-a-question-of-values |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> He has voiced concerns over legalizing sports betting in Minnesota due to gambling addiction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coolican |first=J. Patrick |date=September 24, 2019 |title=Minnesota legislators head to Iowa to see if sports betting is right for the state |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-politicos-head-to-iowa-see-if-sports-betting-is-right-for-the-state/561168492/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
Heintzeman authored legislation to exempt military pensions from state income taxes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dettmer |first=Bob |date=June 23, 2016 |title=OPINION EXCHANGE {{!}} Editorial counterpoint: Veteran tax relief honors sacrifice of those who served |url=https://www.startribune.com/editorial-counterpoint-veteran-tax-relief-honors-sacrifice-of-those-who-served/384193471/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> He has been critical of the Affordable Care Act.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MPR News Staff |date=November 8, 2016 |title=Republicans take full control of Minnesota Legislature |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/08/david-hann-gop-leader-minnesota-senate-defeated |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> Heintzeman signed on to a letter calling on the University of Minnesota to stop participating in research on "aborted human fetal organs".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=Abigail |date=January 15, 2016 |title=OPINION EXCHANGE {{!}} Fetal tissue research should cease at U |url=https://www.startribune.com/fetal-tissue-research-should-cease-at-u/365492261/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> In 2020, he was targeted by activist Ben Dorr, who posted a video clip confronting Heintzeman with his six-year-old son for allegedly "voting to kill babies".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richert |first=Catharine |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Behind rallies to reopen economy, a MN activist |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/04/20/behind-calls-to-reopen-economy-a-mn-activist-and-his-family |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref>
== Electoral history == {{Election box begin no change | title = 2014 Minnesota State House - District 10A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=20&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=373&show=Go|title=2014 Results for State Representative District 10A|access-date=February 25, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Joshua Heintzeman | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 8,646 | percentage = 53.37 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = John Ward (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 7,539 | percentage = 46.54 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 15 | percentage = 0.09 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 16,200 | 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 = 2016 Minnesota State House - District 10A<ref>{{cite web | title=Results for State Representative District 10A |url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20161108 | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=June 3, 2020}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = Joshua Heintzeman (incumbent) |votes = 12,919 |percentage = 59.40 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Quinn Nystrom |votes = 8,831 |percentage = 40.60 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 27 | percentage = 0.12 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 21,777 | 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 = 2018 Minnesota State House - District 10A<ref>{{cite web | title=Results for State Representative District 10A |url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=115&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=373&show=Go | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 11, 2023}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = Joshua Heintzeman (incumbent) |votes = 11,907 |percentage = 62.23 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Dale Menk |votes = 7,211 |percentage = 37.69 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 16 | percentage = 0.08 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 19,134 | 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 = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 10A<ref>{{cite web | title=Results for State Representative District 10A |url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=373&show=Go | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 11, 2023}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = Joshua Heintzeman (incumbent) |votes = 15,674 |percentage = 64.93 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Dale Menk |votes = 8,443 |percentage = 34.98 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 23 | percentage = 0.10 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 24,140 | 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 6B<ref>{{cite web | title=Results for State Representative District 6B |url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=366&show=Go | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 11, 2023}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = Joshua Heintzeman (incumbent) |votes = 12,623 |percentage = 65.22 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Sally Boos |votes = 6,698 |percentage = 34.61 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 33 | percentage = 0.17 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 19,354 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}
== Personal life == Heintzeman married his wife, Keri, on June 26, 1999. They have six children and reside in Nisswa, Minnesota.<ref name=":0" /> Heintzeman and his wife homeschool their children.<ref name=":1" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{MN-legdb|12273}} * [https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/12273 Official House of Representatives website] * [https://joshheintzeman.com/ Official campaign website]
{{Minnesota House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heintzeman, Josh}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:People from Nisswa, Minnesota Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives Category:People from Motley, Minnesota Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature