{{Short description|American politician (born 1973)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Kurt Daudt | image = Minnesota State Representative Kurt Daudt, 2019.jpg | caption = Daudt in 2019 | office = 60th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives | term_start = January 6, 2015 | term_end = January 7, 2019 | predecessor = Paul Thissen | successor = Melissa Hortman | term_start1 = January 8, 2019 | term_end1 = January 3, 2023 | predecessor1 = Melissa Hortman | successor1 = Lisa Demuth | term_start2 = January 8, 2013 | term_end2 = January 6, 2015 | predecessor2 = Paul Thissen | successor2 = Paul Thissen | prior_term3 = 31A (2013–2023)<br>17A (2011–2013) | term_start3 = January 4, 2011 | term_end3 = February 11, 2024 | predecessor3 = Rob Eastlund | successor3 = Bryan Lawrence | birth_name = Kurt Louis Daudt | birth_date = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1973|9|26}}}} | birth_place = Springfield, Minnesota, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | education = University of North Dakota | office1 = Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives | office3 = Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives | constituency3 = District 27B (2023–2024)<br />District 31A (2013–2023)<br>District 17A (2011–2013) }} '''Kurt Louis Daudt''' (born September 26, 1973) is an American politician and former Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is also a former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 27B, which included portions of Anoka, Isanti, and Sherburne counties in east-central Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.<ref name="Daudt">{{cite web | url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.aspx?id=15345 | title=Daudt, Kurt | publisher=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library | work=Legislators Past & Present | access-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> He lives on his family farm in Crown, Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inforum.com/news/government-and-politics/3639748-daudt-moves-quickly-political-ladder|title=Daudt moves quickly up political ladder|last=Dec 21st 2014 - 11pm|first=Briana Bierschbach / MinnPost com {{!}}|website=INFORUM|language=en|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>
==Early life, education, and career== Daudt attended Princeton High School, where he graduated in 1992. Rep. Sondra Erickson was his English teacher there. Daudt attended the University of North Dakota to study aviation management but did not graduate.<ref name=Condon>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/rookie-house-speaker-daudt-looks-to-defy-odds-at-capitol/302276691/|title=Rookie House Speaker Daudt looks to defy odds at Capitol|last=Condon|first=Patrick|date=May 1, 2015|website=Star Tribune|publisher=Star Tribune|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/17/daudt|title=Speaker to be: The education of Kurt Daudt|last=Richert|first=Catharine|website=www.mprnews.org|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref> He is a licensed private pilot.
Daudt served as an Isanti County commissioner from 2005 to 2010. Before that, he was a township board supervisor for Stanford Township from 1995 to 2005, and a member of the East Central Regional Library Board. He was also a founding member of Project 24, a nonprofit organization that builds orphanages in Kenya. To date, the project has raised over $500,000 and built six orphanages.<ref name="Daudt" /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.kurtdaudt.com/about.php | title=Kurt Daudt for State Representative | publisher=Daudt Volunteer Committee | access-date=January 24, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108012319/http://www.kurtdaudt.com/about.php | archive-date=November 8, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Before his election to the legislature, he worked at auto dealerships as a salesman and business manager.<ref name=Kytonen>{{cite web | url=http://archives.ecmpublishers.com/2010/11/10/kurt-daudt-excited-to-begin-next-chapter-in-political-career/ | last=Kytonen | first=Rachel | title=Kurt Daudt excited to begin next chapter in political career | publisher=ECM |date=November 10, 2010 | access-date=March 8, 2016}}</ref>
==Minnesota House of Representatives==
===Tenure=== Daudt was first elected in 2010. After Republicans won a House majority in the 2014 midterm elections, Daudt was selected by Republicans to become Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives for the session beginning in 2015. Daudt was elected as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives by the full House on January 6, 2015. Daudt is the youngest person to serve as Speaker since the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Democratic doubts remain as Kurt Daudt prepares to lead Minnesota House|url=http://www.twincities.com/2014/12/19/democratic-doubts-remain-as-kurt-daudt-prepares-to-lead-minnesota-house/|website=Pioneer Press|access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref> He resigned from the Minnesota House on February 11, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Henderson|first=Eric|title=Former Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt resigns from state legislature|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/former-minnesota-house-speaker-kurt-daudt-resigns-from-state-legislature/|date=January 10, 2024|website=WCCO-TV|accessdate=February 11, 2024}}</ref>
===Committee assignments=== thumb|left|upright|Daudt in 2013 Daudt served on the Elections Committee and the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee for the 2013-2015 Session. He previously served on the Commerce and Regulatory Reform, the Higher Education Policy and Finance, and the Redistricting committees, as well as on the Taxes Subcommittee for the Property and Local Tax Division.<ref name="Daudt" />
=== Accomplishments === In his first term, Daudt proposed major reforms to Minnesota's welfare system including crackdowns on out-of-state use of EBT cards, limits on monthly cash benefit withdrawals, and eligibility disqualifications for individuals who purchase alcohol or tobacco using an EBT card.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/03/23/bill-limits-cash-welfare-recipients-can-withdraw-2/|title=Bill Limits Cash Welfare Recipients Can Withdraw|date=2011-03-23|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hometownsource.com/isanti_county_news/news/local/daudt-and-magnus-propose-welfare-reform/article_841efe89-741e-58e9-b692-7b605dee7049.html|title=Daudt and Magnus propose welfare reform|last=Hunt|first=Greg|website=hometownsource.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> The tobacco and alcohol provisions were signed into law as part of the 2011 Special Session Health and Human Services bill,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2011/1/9/|title=Chapter 9 - MN Laws|website=www.revisor.mn.gov|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> and restrictions limiting EBT use to states surrounding Minnesota were passed and signed into law in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2012/0/247/|title=Chapter 247 - MN Laws|website=www.revisor.mn.gov|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>
In 2016 under Speaker Daudt, the legislature approved a bill that made Minnesota one of at least 12 other states to fully exempt military retirement benefits from state taxes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2016/05/30/minnesota-veterans-won-a-major-tax-break-in-budget-bill/|title=Minnesota veterans won a major tax break in budget bill|last=Press {{!}}|first=Kevin Burbach / Associated|date=2016-05-31|website=Twin Cities|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> In 2017, Daudt and the Republican-led Minnesota Senate successfully negotiated the largest tax cut in two decades,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-minnesota-governors-legislatures-budget-funding.html|title=In State Budget Talks, Governors Play Hardball|website=www.governing.com|date=26 July 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> including a $750 million cut over ten years for social security recipients,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2017/06/30/social-security-benefit-tax-cut-helps-minnesota-retirees/|title=Social Security benefit tax cut helps Minnesota retirees|last=Service|first=Don Davis {{!}} Forum News|date=2017-07-01|website=Twin Cities|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> a $500 tax credit for student loan payments,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/ss/ssstloancred.pdf|title=The Minnesota Student Loan Tax Credit|date=September 2017|website=www.house.mn}}</ref> tax cuts for tobacco products,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/06/09/tobacco-tax-cuts-burn-dayton|title=Tobacco tax cuts burn Gov. Dayton|website=MPR News|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> and property tax relief for agriculture land.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4334341-school-districts-benefit-new-ag-property-tax-credit-school-bonds|title=School districts benefit from new ag property tax credit for school bonds|last=Sep 26th 2017 - 9pm|first=Helmut Schmidt / Forum News Service {{!}}|website=Duluth News Tribune|date=27 September 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> Former Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton took the unprecedented step of attempting to veto funding for the Minnesota legislature in an attempt to reverse tax cuts passed by the legislature,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/republicans-tout-legislative-accomplishments-dayton-to-sign-or-veto-bills-this-week/425320603/|title=Dayton signs 10 budget bills and tax cuts, but defunds Legislature|website=Star Tribune|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref> but none of the tax reductions were ultimately revisited.
===Political Positions=== In December 2021, Daudt, as House Minority Leader, signed a letter along with 37 other Republicans in opposition of the Mayo Clinic for its vaccine mandate policy for employees, calling for a halt in state funding for health care facilities that fire employees "due to unrealistic vaccine mandate policies".<ref>[https://www.house.mn.gov/goppdf/KjjzzR9JvE2GyqQV2Nc_eA.pdf December 8th, 2021 Letter] to Mayo Clinic signed by 38 Minnesota House Republican Representatives.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=December 16, 2021 |title=Minnesota House Republicans criticize Mayo Clinic for employee vaccine mandate |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-house-republicans-criticize-mayo-clinic-for-employee-vaccine-mandate/600127703/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Star Tribune Editorial Board |first= |date=December 16, 2021 |title=EDITORIAL {{!}} Ethical decision is protecting patients |url=https://www.startribune.com/ethical-decision-is-protecting-patients/600127854/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ricardo |last2= |first2= |last3= |date=2021-12-16 |title=House GOP leans on Mayo Clinic to call off its vaccine mandate |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2021/12/16/house-gop-leans-on-mayo-clinic-to-call-off-its-vaccine-mandate/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Controversies=== In 2013, Daudt, then the House minority leader, was involved in an incident in Montana when a friend Daniel Weinzetl, brandished a handgun during the sale of a vintage vehicle, pointing it at the seller's "entire family, including the children." The handgun belonged to Daudt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/cambridge-man-convicted-in-gun-dispute-involving-minnesota-house-speaker/284682211/|title=Cambridge man convicted in gun dispute involving Minnesota House speaker|website=Star Tribune|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref> The altercation arose after Daudt and the seller differed about the condition of the vehicle. Daudt was later released by Montana police without being charged with a crime.<ref name=Stassen-Berger>{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/minority-leader-daudt-acknowledges-being-in-gun-related-dust-up/239709341/ | last=Simons | first=Abby | title=Minority Leader Daudt acknowledges being in gun-related dust-up | publisher=Star Tribune |date=January 13, 2014 | access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref>
In 2015, U.S. Bank and Capital One won legal judgments against Daudt, stemming from his failure to pay approximately $13,000 in overdue charges and legal fees incurred pursuing the money. However, the companies declined to pursue the judgments after the debts were paid in full.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/house-speaker-confirms-financial-woes/89-73763288|title=House speaker confirms financial woes|website=KARE|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>
==Personal life== Daudt is a member of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He is unmarried.<ref name="Minnesota Legislators Past & Present 2010">{{cite web | title=Daudt, Kurt - Legislator Record | website=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present | date=2010-11-30 | url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=15345 | access-date=2022-10-14}}</ref>
==Elections== {{Election box begin | title=2020 Minnesota State Representative- House 31A<ref>{{cite web|title=Results for State Representative District 31A|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=415&show=Go|website=Results for State Representative District 31A|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = '''Kurt Daudt''' (Incumbent) |votes = 17960 |percentage = 72.84 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Brad Brown |votes = 6664 |percentage = 27.03 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=2018 Minnesota State Representative- House 31A<ref>{{cite web|title=Results for State Representative District 31A|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/StateRepresentative/115?districtid=415|website=Results for State Representative District 31A|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = '''Kurt Daudt''' (Incumbent) |votes = 12326 |percentage = 69.08 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Brad Brown |votes = 5501 |percentage = 30.83 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=2016 Minnesota State Representative- House 31A<ref name="Minnesota Secretary of State">{{cite web|title=Results for State Representative District 31A|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/StateRepresentative/100?districtid=415|website=Results for State Representative District 31A|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = '''Kurt Daudt''' (Incumbent) |votes = 14815 |percentage = 70.33 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Sarah Udvig |votes = 6208 |percentage = 29.47 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=2014 Minnesota State Representative- House 31A<ref>{{cite web|title=Results for State Representative District 31A|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/StateRepresentative/20?districtid=415|website=Results for State Representative District 31A|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = '''Kurt Daudt''' (Incumbent) |votes = 10,363 |percentage = 96.67 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=2012 Minnesota State Representative- House 31A<ref name="Minnesota Secretary of State">{{cite web|title=Results for State Representative District 31A|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/StateRepresentative/100?districtid=415|website=Results for State Representative District 31A|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = '''Kurt Daudt''' (Incumbent) |votes = 11,990 |percentage = 60.42 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Ryan Fiereck |votes = 7,823 |percentage = 39.42 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=2010 Minnesota State Representative- House 17A<ref name="Minnesota Secretary of State: Election Results">{{cite web |url=http://minnesotaelectionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=17A | title=Results for State Representative District 17A | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link |party = Republican Party of Minnesota |candidate = '''Kurt Daudt''' |votes = 9,840 |percentage = 56.04 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |candidate = Jim Godfrey |votes = 7,044 |percentage = 40.11 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link |party = Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution Party of Minnesota |candidate = Paul Bergley |votes = 657 |percentage = 3.74 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{MN-legdb|15345}} * [http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?id=15345 Rep. Kurt Daudt] ''official Minnesota House of Representatives website'' * [http://www.kurtdaudt.com/ Kurt Daudt] ''official campaign website'' * [http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=88185 Project Votesmart - Rep. Kurt Daudt Profile] * {{Twitter}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-mn-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Rob Eastlund}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives<br>from District 27B<br>{{small|31A (2013–2023)}}<br>{{small|17A (2011–2013)}}|years=2011–2024}} {{s-aft|after=Bryan Lawrence}} |- {{s-bef|before=Paul Thissen}} {{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives|years=2013–2015}} {{s-aft|after=Paul Thissen}} |- {{s-bef|before=Melissa Hortman}} {{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives|years=2019–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Lisa Demuth}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Paul Thissen}} {{s-ttl|title=Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives|years=2015–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Melissa Hortman}} {{s-end}}
{{MNSpeakers}} {{MNHMinorityLeaders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daudt, Kurt}} Category:1973 births Category:American commercial aviators Category:County commissioners in Minnesota Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives Category:People from Isanti County, Minnesota Category:People from Springfield, Minnesota Category:Speakers of the Minnesota House of Representatives Category:University of North Dakota alumni Category:Lutherans from Minnesota Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature