Kelly Moller

{{Short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Kelly Moller | image = Rep. Kelly Moller (2022).jpg | state_house = Minnesota | district = 40A | prior_term = | constituency = 40A (2023-present)<br />42A (2019-2022) | term_start = January 8, 2019 | term_end = | predecessor = Randy Jessup | successor = | birth_date = February 1, 1973 | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic (DFL) | spouse = Kevin | children = 2 | education = University of Notre Dame (B.B.A.)<br />Hamline University School of Law (J.D.) | occupation = {{hlist|Attorney|Legislator}} | website = {{URL|https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15511|Government website}} {{URL|https://votekellymoller.com/|Campaign website}} }}

'''Kelly Moller''' (born February 2, 1972) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Moller represents District 40A in the north-central Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Mounds View and Shoreview and parts of Ramsey County, Minnesota.<ref name="lpp" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Kelly Moller (40A) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15511 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref>

==Early life, education, and career== Moller attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and later Hamline University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor.<ref name="lpp">{{cite web |title=Moller, Kelly |url=https://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail?ID=15511 |publisher=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library |access-date=November 8, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

Moller worked as a staff attorney in the Minnesota Attorney General's Office for a decade, is a victims' rights activist, and works as an assistant attorney for Hennepin County, Minnesota. She served on the Shoreview City Public Safety Committee.<ref name="lpp" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Star Tribune Editorial Board |date=October 30, 2018 |title=EDITORIAL {{!}} Election endorsements: Our choices in House Districts 38B, 42A, 44B and 48A |url=https://www.startribune.com/election-endorsements-our-choices-in-house-districts-38b-42a-44b-and-48a/499068791/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

==Minnesota House of Representatives== Moller was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018 and has been reelected every two years since. She defeated one-term Republican incumbent Randy Jessup.<ref name="lpp" />

Moller chairs the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee and the Ethics Committee. She sits on the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law, Rules and Legislative Administration, and Ways and Means Committees. She served as vice chair of the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee from 2021 to 2022.<ref name="lpp" />

=== Political positions ===

==== Public safety ==== As Public Safety chair, Moller has supported offering more resources for police recruitment and retention as well as funding for community crime and violence prevention.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Mohamed |date=2022-12-08 |title=Rule change aims to prevent extremist group members from becoming Minnesota police officers |url=https://www.minnpost.com/public-safety/2022/12/rule-change-aims-to-prevent-extremist-group-members-from-becoming-minnesota-police-officers/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Mohamed |date=2023-01-17 |title=Violence prevention, bail reform among lawmakers' public safety priorities |url=https://www.minnpost.com/public-safety/2023/01/violence-prevention-bail-reform-among-public-safety-priorities-for-minnesota-lawmakers/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Deena |date=2023-03-17 |title=Walz budget would expand the state crime bureau, even as crime falls |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/03/17/walz-budget-would-expand-the-state-crime-bureau-even-as-crime-falls/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref> She has said that the state's criminal justice system has done "a pretty bad job" at rehabilitation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Deena |date=2023-03-24 |title=State prison population expected to shoot up as pandemic court backlog eases |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/03/24/state-prison-population-expected-to-shoot-up-as-pandemic-court-backlog-eases/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref> After the police shooting of Daunte Wright, Moller supported legislation to limit police powers during traffic stops, including banning officers from pulling drivers over for having tinted windows, outdated tabs, or loud mufflers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Tim |date=April 14, 2021 |title=MN House panel moves to change police powers |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/04/14/mn-house-panel-moves-to-change-police-powers |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orenstein |first=Walker |date=2021-04-22 |title=After Wright killing, DFL legislators move quickly in push to limit traffic stops |url=https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2021/04/after-wright-killing-dfl-legislators-move-quickly-in-push-to-limit-traffic-stops/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Orenstein |first1=Walker |last2=Callaghan |first2=Peter |date=2021-04-13 |title=Minnesota Senate Republicans agree to hold 'fact-finding' hearings on police reform measures |url=https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2021/04/minnesota-senate-republicans-agree-to-hold-fact-finding-hearings-on-police-reform-measures/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref>

Moller supports "red flag laws", also known as extreme risk protection orders, and supported efforts to compile a database of mass shootings in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orenstein |first=Walker |date=2023-02-15 |title=Minnesota Democrats hope to advance 'red flag' gun bill at Legislature |url=https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2023/02/gun-politics-are-tricky-at-the-minnesota-legislature-why-dflers-hope-they-can-pass-a-red-flag-law/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Prather |first=Shannon |date=January 17, 2020 |title=Minnesota creators of 'Mass Shooter Database' sharing work with politicians, educators, police |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-creators-of-mass-shooter-database-sharing-work-with-politicians-educators-police/567026852/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> In response to rising car thefts, she wrote a bill that would allow police departments to track stolen vehicles for 24 hours without first getting consent from owners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prather |first=Shannon |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Twin Cities suburban police battling car thieves with new GPS technology |url=https://www.startribune.com/suburban-minnesota-police-battling-car-thieves-with-new-gps-technology/600154295/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Mohamed |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Minnesota bill would soften tracking device rules for police |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/02/10/minnesota-bill-would-soften-tracking-device-rules-for-police |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> She authored changes to civil forfeiture laws for cases ending forfeitures worth less than $1,500 in most cases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montemayor |first=Stephen |date=July 3, 2021 |title=Changes to Minnesota's civil asset forfeiture laws pass Legislature |url=https://www.startribune.com/changes-to-minnesota-s-civil-asset-forfeiture-laws-pass-legislature/600074778/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

===== Sexual harassment and assault laws ===== Moller has supported updating and strengthening Minnesota's sexual assault and harassment laws, citing testimony from survivors about problems with the current system.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dziedzic |first1=Kari |last2=Moller |first2=Kelly |date=February 14, 2020 |title=OPINION EXCHANGE {{!}} Minnesota's outdated sexual harassment laws continue to let survivors down |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-outdated-sexual-harassment-laws-continue-to-let-survivors-down/567891262/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=February 3, 2021 |title=New report urges Minnesota lawmakers to adopt stronger sexual assault laws |url=https://www.startribune.com/new-report-urges-minnesota-lawmakers-to-adopt-stronger-sexual-assault-laws/600018673/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Moller |first1=Kelly |last2=O’Neill |first2=Marion |date=March 31, 2021 |title=OPINION EXCHANGE {{!}} Sexual assault law reform is even more urgent |url=https://www.startribune.com/sexual-assault-law-reform-is-even-more-urgent/600040809/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> She supported legislation eliminating the "severe or pervasive" standard for determining whether harassment creates a hostile working environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=March 21, 2019 |title=House votes change to sexual harassment barrier |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/03/21/minn-house-votes-to-remove-legal-standard-against-sexual-harassment |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quade |first=Erin Maye |date=2020-02-28 |title=Years later, Weinstein is off to prison, but the Legislature still has not acted on sexual harassment law |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2020/02/28/years-later-weinstein-is-off-to-prison-but-legislature-still-has-not-acted-on-sexual-harassment-law/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2021, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a person who is sexually assaulted while intoxicated is not considered "mentally incapacitated" if they consumed the substance voluntarily.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Andy |first=Mannix |date=March 24, 2021 |title=Court: Rape victims not 'mentally incapacitated' unless forcibly intoxicated |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-supreme-court-says-rape-victims-too-intoxicated-to-consent-aren-t-incapacitated/600038050/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Moller introduced a bill that would amend the relevant statute to include victims such as those in the case the court ruled on, and said it was "an example of victim blaming".<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sepic |first=Matt |date=March 25, 2021 |title=MN Supreme Court reverses rape conviction because woman wasn't forced to get drunk |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/03/25/mn-supreme-court-reverses-rape-conviction-because-woman-wasnt-forced-to-get-drunk |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hackett |first=Ashley |date=2021-04-14 |title=Will the Minnesota Legislature's plan to fix the sexual assault 'intoxication loophole' actually help? |url=https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2021/04/will-the-minnesota-legislatures-plan-to-fix-the-sexual-assault-intoxication-loophole-actually-help/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ricardo |date=April 7, 2021 |title=Lawmakers push to amend definition of mentally incapacitated after Supreme Court ruling, other changes |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/lawmakers-push-to-amend-definition-of-mentally-incapacitated-after-supreme-court-ruling-other-changes/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref> The bill gained bipartisan support and passed later that year.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Montemayor |first=Stephen |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Lawmakers close gaps in Minnesota's sex assault laws with public safety bill |url=https://www.startribune.com/lawmakers-close-gaps-in-minnesota-s-sex-assault-laws-with-public-safety-bill/600073316/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

Moller authored bipartisan legislation to require law-enforcement agencies to follow a state-issued policy on how to best investigate sexual assault cases.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Stahl |first=Brandon |date=January 29, 2019 |title=Legislators see gap in key players as they reform rape laws |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-house-democrats-launch-week-of-proposed-sexual-assault-reforms/505026302/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> She also introduced a bill to form a working group, including representatives from victim coalitions, to examine and rewrite criminal sexual conduct laws.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Montemayor |first=Stephen |date=May 9, 2019 |title=Statewide task force proposed for revising Minnesota's rape laws |url=https://www.startribune.com/final-push-at-capitol-for-minnesota-rape-law-reform/509722622/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> The Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Board adopted similar policies, and Moller authored a bill requiring departments to follow the guidance, with officers that failed facing consequences including losing their police officer's license.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brandon |first=Stahl |date=January 24, 2019 |title=Minnesota lawmakers introduce first bill to address failings in sex assault investigations |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-lawmakers-introduce-first-bill-to-address-failings-in-sex-assault-investigations/504772202/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Star Tribune Editorial Board |date=January 28, 2019 |title=EDITORIAL {{!}} Minnesota moves forward on rape-case reforms |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-moves-forward-on-rape-case-reforms/504993762/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Associated Press |date=January 29, 2019 |title=MN rep highlights bills against gender-based violence |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/01/29/house-rep-highlights-bills-against-gender-based-violence |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> Many of the working group's recommendations were implemented in a bipartisan bill passed in 2021.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Deena |date=June 29, 2021 |title=Lawmakers to vote on updating sex crime laws |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/lawmakers-to-vote-on-updating-sex-crime-laws/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref>

Moller called Minneapolis's backlog of untested rape kits "unacceptable" and pledged to work to get them tested, and supported a state supreme court ruling protecting communications between victims and sexual assault counselors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jany |first=Libor |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Minneapolis police discover 1,700 untested rape kits spanning 30 years |url=https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-police-discover-1-700-untested-rape-kits-spanning-30-years/564989082/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=July 13, 2022 |title=Minnesota Supreme Court hands privacy victory to sexual assault victims |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-supreme-court-hands-privacy-victory-to-sexual-assault-victims/600189894/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> She authored legislation to repeal a law from Minnesota's territorial days that criminalized adultery that only applied to women, not men.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=March 5, 2020 |title=Minnesota legislator wants to decriminalize adultery |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislator-wants-to-decriminalize-adultery/568524612/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

In response to multiple reported instances of sexual harassment at the Capitol by legislators and lobbyists, Moller sponsored a bill to broaden what qualifies as harassment which passed the House but failed to move forward in the Republican-controlled Senate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=April 21, 2019 |title=Minnesota lawmakers, lobbyists describe cautious Capitol in wake of #MeToo |url=https://www.startribune.com/lawmakers-lobbyists-describe-cautious-capitol-in-wake-of-metoo/508853802/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> She also authored legislation to require the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate allegations of sexual assault by officers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=March 28, 2020 |title='Blue wall of silence': When the sexual assault suspect is a police officer |url=https://www.startribune.com/blue-wall-of-silence-when-the-sexual-assault-suspect-is-a-police-officer/569193152/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=February 10, 2021 |title=Survivors, National Guard officials back bill to shift sex assault investigations to BCA |url=https://www.startribune.com/survivors-national-guard-officials-back-bill-to-shift-sex-assault-investigations-to-bca/600021401/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

==== Other political positions ==== Moller authored legislation to increase transparency around ticket prices, requiring upfront pricing and regulating ticket resellers. She said the legislation, H.F. 1989, was inspired by issues experienced during the sale of tickets on Ticketmaster for Taylor Swift's "Eras" Tour in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deng |first=Grace |date=2023-02-27 |title=After Taylor Swift Ticketmaster fiasco, Minnesota House looks to require ticket price transparency |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/02/27/after-taylor-swift-ticketmaster-fiasco-minnesota-house-looks-to-increase-ticket-price-transparency/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Electoral history ==

{{Election box begin no change | title = 2018 Minnesota State House - District 42A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=115&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=437&show=Go|title=2018 Results for State Representative District 42A|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Kelly Moller | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 12,289 | percentage = 57.52 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Randy Jessup (incumbent) | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 9,055 | percentage = 42.38 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 22 | percentage = 0.10 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 21,366 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box gain with party link without swing | winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | loser = Republican Party of Minnesota }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 42A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=437&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 42A|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Kelly Moller (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 14,982 | percentage = 60.72 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Candy Sina | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 9,659 | percentage = 39.15 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 32 | percentage = 0.13 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 24,673 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title = 2022 Minnesota State House - District 40A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=433&show=Go|title=2022 Results for State Representative District 40A|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Kelly Moller (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 12,302 | percentage = 61.61 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Ben Schwanke | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 7,652 | percentage = 38.32 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 14 | percentage = 0.07 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 19,968 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party }} {{Election box end}}

==Personal life== Moller and her husband, Kevin, have two children. She resides in Shoreview, Minnesota.<ref name="lpp" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{MN-legdb|15511}} * [https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15511 Official House of Representatives website] * [https://votekellymoller.com/ Official campaign website]

{{Minnesota House of Representatives}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moller, Kelly}} Category:Living people Category:People from Shoreview, Minnesota Category:University of Notre Dame alumni Category:Hamline University School of Law alumni Category:Democratic Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Women state legislators in Minnesota Category:1973 births Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature