Mike Freiberg

{{Infobox officeholder | name = Mike Freiberg | image = Mike Freiberg.jpg |state_house = Minnesota | constituency = District 43B (2023–present)<br />District 45B (2013–2022) | prior_term = | term_start = January 8, 2013 | term_end = | predecessor = Lyndon Carlson | successor = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|09|23}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic (DFL) | spouse = {{marriage|Lauren|2007}} | children = 2 | education = Georgetown University (B.A.)<br />William Mitchell College of Law (J.D.) | occupation = {{hlist|Public health attorney|Legislator}} | website = {{URL|https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15398|Government website}} {{URL|https://mikefreiberg.com/|Campaign website}} }}

'''Mike Freiberg''' ({{ipa|en|ˈfɹaɪbɝɡ}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Name Pronunciation Guide for House Members 2025 |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/pronunciation |website=Minnesota House of Representatives |publisher=Minnesota Legislature |access-date=14 April 2026}}</ref> born September 23, 1976) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2013. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Freiberg represents District 43B in the central Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Golden Valley and Robbinsdale and parts of Hennepin County.<ref name="Freiberg" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Mike Freiberg (43B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15398 |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}</ref>

==Early life, education and career== Freiberg was raised in Golden Valley, Minnesota. He has Jewish ancestry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/news/15398/18294 |title=Minnesota Lawmakers Joint Statement on Charlottesville |last=Mike |first=Freiberg |date=August 17, 2017 |website=Minnesota Legislature |publisher=Minnesota House of Representatives |access-date=September 6, 2024 |quote=They are joined by their colleagues with Jewish ancestry: Reps. Jon Applebaum (44B), Mike Freiberg (45B), Frank Hornstein (61A), and Paul Rosenthal (49B), Sens. Steve Cwodzindski (48), Ron Latz (46), Richard Cohen (64), and Sandy Pappas (65).}}</ref> He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and Russian from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor from the William Mitchell College of Law.<ref name="Freiberg">{{cite web | url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.aspx?ID=15398 | title=Freiberg, Mike | publisher=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library | work=Legislators Past & Present | access-date=April 5, 2013}}</ref><ref name="patch">{{cite web | url=http://goldenvalley.patch.com/articles/mike-freiberg-dfl-endorsed-candidate-for-state-representative-district-45b | title=Mike Freiberg, DFL Endorsed Candidate for State Representative District 45B | work=Golden Valley Patch | date=August 1, 2012 | access-date=April 5, 2013 | author=Engler, Valerie | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630025615/http://goldenvalley.patch.com/articles/mike-freiberg-dfl-endorsed-candidate-for-state-representative-district-45b | archive-date=June 30, 2013 }}</ref>

Freiberg was a legislative aide to U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar from 1999 to 2001. From 2005 to 2006, he was a committee administrator for the Minnesota Senate. He was elected to the Golden Valley City Council in 2007 and served until his election to the state legislature.<ref name="Freiberg" />

Freiberg has worked as an adjunct professor for William Mitchell College of Law. He is an attorney for the Public Health Law Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=About Mike |url=http://www.mikefreiberg.com/pages/about-mike/ |access-date=April 5, 2013 |work=Mike Freiberg for State Representative |publisher=Friends of Freiberg}}</ref><ref name="WMCL">{{cite web |title=Mike Freiberg '05 |url=http://www.wmitchell.edu/faculty/adjunct+professor.asp?ID=936919823 |access-date=April 5, 2013 |publisher=William Mitchell College of Law}}</ref>

== Minnesota House of Representatives == Freiberg was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2012, and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran for an open seat created by legislative redistricting.<ref name="Freiberg" />

In 2018, Freiberg endorsed fellow state representatives Erin Murphy in the DFL gubernatorial primary and Ilhan Omar for Minnesota's 5th congressional district.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coolican |first=J. Patrick |date=September 9, 2017 |title=Running an outsider campaign has its downsides |url=https://www.startribune.com/running-an-outsider-campaign-has-its-downsides-state-fair-is-a-place-to-sell/443465463/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Maya |date=July 1, 2018 |title=5th District DFL primary features experience, symbolism |url=https://www.startribune.com/5th-district-dfl-primary-features-experience-symbolism/487034051/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

Freiberg chairs the Elections Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Commerce Finance and Policy, State and Local Government Finance and Policy, and Ways and Means Committees. He was an assistant minority leader from 2017 to 2018. From 2019 to 2020 Freiberg chaired the Government Operations Committee, and from 2021 to 2022 he chaired the Preventative Health Division of the Health Finance and Policy Committee.<ref name="Freiberg" />

=== Election policy === Freiberg sponsored legislation for Minnesota to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, under which it would award its electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the most popular votes nationwide; the compact goes into effect only when states that together have a majority of electoral votes have joined it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bakst |first=Brian |date=January 26, 2017 |title=Minnesota lawmakers weigh presidential politics |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/01/26/minnesota-lawmakers-weigh-presidential-politics |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> He has argued that the Electoral College has "become less and less representative".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Oot |first=Torey |date=November 20, 2020 |title=Will Minnesota join the push to switch to a national popular vote? |url=https://www.startribune.com/will-minnesota-join-the-push-to-switch-to-a-national-popular-vote/572506651/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Freiberg authored legislation to close campaign finance disclosure loopholes, including increasing campaign finance reporting requirements for local and municipal elections.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Navratil |first=Liz |date=August 29, 2021 |title=Fight over Minneapolis Police Department brings in donations above those in recent years |url=https://www.startribune.com/fight-over-minneapolis-police-department-brings-in-donations-above-those-in-recent-years/600092097/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=2019-03-15 |title=Lawmakers look to close campaign finance loophole affecting Minneapolis elections |url=https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2019/03/lawmakers-look-to-close-campaign-finance-loophole-affecting-minneapolis-elections/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref>

Freiberg supports legislation that would raise the threshold for major-party status in Minnesota, saying the current system is "susceptible for mischief".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bakst |first=Brian |date=March 14, 2023 |title=Party-status bill stirs Ventura; backers say it'll curb ballot 'mischief' |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/03/14/partystatus-bill-stirs-ventura-backers-say-itll-curb-ballot-mischief |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> The bill faced opposition from third parties as well as former Governor Jesse Ventura, who ran under the Reform Party in 1998.<ref name=":0" />

=== Health care policy === In 2015, Freiberg wrote a bill requiring parents to talk to a doctor before parents opt their children out of vaccinations for diseases such as measles and chickenpox.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Jeremy |date=January 30, 2015 |title=University of Minnesota measles case draws attention to wider health threat |url=https://www.startribune.com/measles-case-at-u-draws-attention-to-wider-health-threat/290283671/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Richert |first=Catharine |date=January 29, 2015 |title=Bill requires talking to MD before opting out of shots |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/01/29/vaccination-bill |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> The bill was supported by doctors from the Mayo Clinic, but failed to move forward during Republican control of the House.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Lorna |date=February 9, 2015 |title=Measles outbreak sparks call to limit vaccination exemp |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/02/08/measles-outbreak-sparks-call-to-limit-vaccination-exemptions |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zdechlik |first=Mark |date=December 26, 2017 |title=Will the 2017 measles outbreak spur a new law in 2018? |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/12/26/measles-outbreak-look-back |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> He also authored legislation that would support outreach programs to teach communities about the value of vaccinations and combat misinformation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Star Tribune Editorial Board |date=February 19, 2019 |title=EDITORIAL {{!}} Minnesota bill would counter dangerous vaccine disinformation |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-bill-would-counter-dangerous-vaccine-disinformation/506067652/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Freiberg has authored "right to die" legislation that allows Minnesotans facing terminal illnesses to have medical aid in dying.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=September 11, 2019 |title=Minnesota lawmakers explore assisted suicide legislation |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-lawmakers-explore-assisted-suicide-legislation/560081632/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=March 2, 2023 |title='Don't have time to wait': Advocates renew push for Minnesota to allow medication aid in dying |url=https://www.startribune.com/dont-have-time-to-wait-advocates-renew-push-for-minnesota-to-allow-medication-aid-in-dying/600255783/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> The bill was modeled on an Oregon state law that has been in place for over 20 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Wurzer |first1=Cathy |last2=Elder |first2=Alanna |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Minnesota could legalize physician-assisted suicide |url=https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/03/02/minnesota-could-legalize-physicianassisted-suicide |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref>

==== Cannabis legalization ==== In 2019, Freiberg was the lead House author of legislation that would legalize cannabis by 2022, introduced as House File 420.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Van Oot |first=Torey |date=January 28, 2019 |title=Minnesota measure would legalize marijuana by 2022 |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-measure-would-legalize-marijuana-by-2022/504986712/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=2019-01-29 |title=Is the legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota inevitable? |url=https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2019/01/is-the-legalization-of-recreational-marijuana-in-minnesota-inevitable/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref> The bill would legalize the drug for those over 21 and direct the Department of Health to regulate it and mitigate negative consequences, including researching and addressing physical and mental health issues related to the drug.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coolican |first=J. Patrick |date=January 21, 2019 |title=Legislators begin pushing marijuana legalization measures |url=https://www.startribune.com/legislators-begin-pushing-marijuana-legalization-measures/504667112/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moylan |first=Martin |date=February 19, 2019 |title=What if every day was 4/20 in Minnesota? |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/02/19/what-if-every-day-was-420-in-minnesota |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> The proposal was supported by Governor Tim Walz, but faced opposition in the Republican-controlled State Senate, where it was carried by fellow DFLer Melisa Franzen.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coolican |first=J. Patrick |date=January 26, 2019 |title=Cannabis legalization cautiously on the move |url=https://www.startribune.com/cannabis-legalization-cautiously-on-the-move/504919512/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

=== Other political positions === Freiberg wrote legislation in 2019 to lock Minnesota on daylight saving time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Jennifer |date=March 12, 2019 |title=Sleep-deprived lawmakers are tired of springing forward and falling back |url=https://www.startribune.com/sleep-deprived-lawmakers-are-tired-of-springing-forward-and-falling-back/507121242/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bakst |first=Brian |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Is it time to end spring forward, fall back? |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/03/13/is-it-time-to-end-spring-ahead-fall-back-in-minnesota |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, he authored legislation to put Minnesota on permanent standard time, saying, "I just want to get rid of the clock change. I don't care which one we go on." The U.S. government has banned states from adopting permanent daylight saving time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nesterak |first=Max |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Minnesota lawmakers look to eliminate biannual clock changes |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesota-lawmakers-look-to-eliminate-biannual-clock-changes/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}</ref> Freiberg supported legislation to crack down on the use of "deep-fake" technology in pornography and campaign materials.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=February 18, 2023 |title=Minnesota legislators want to crack down on 'deep fake' disinformation |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislators-want-to-crack-down-on-deep-fake-disinformation/600252705/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

Freiberg supported legislation that studied a redesign of Minnesota's state flag, which had been criticized for its design and depiction of Native Americans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |title=Lawmakers aim to redesign 'outdated' Minnesota flag |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-leaders-aim-to-redesign-state-flag/600249304/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune|date=5 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Emma |date=April 9, 2022 |title=Some Minnesota legislators want to rethink state flag |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislators-want-to-rethink-state-flag/600163600/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Mohamed |date=March 24, 2022 |title=Lawmakers push to redesign Minnesota state flag and seal |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/03/24/lawmakers-push-to-redesign-minnesota-state-flag-and-seal |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Tim |date=April 27, 2022 |title=Push to change Minnesota state flag gains traction, faces headwinds |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/04/27/north-star-journey-minnesota-state-flag-debate |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref> He also wrote legislation that would create a "companion animal board" aimed at curbing cruelty to animals and neglect.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Tim |date=March 2, 2022 |title=Animal welfare advocates, veterinarians differ on proposed board for pets |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/03/02/animal-welfare-advocates-veterinarians-differ-on-board-for-pets |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Dana |date=March 2, 2023 |title=A bi-paw-tisan effort? Lawmakers pitch pet-specific animal board |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/03/02/a-bipawtisan-effort-lawmakers-pitch-petspecific-animal-board |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MPR News |language=en}}</ref>

== Electoral results ==

{{Election box begin no change | title = 2012 Minnesota State House - District 45B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=1&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=444&show=Go|title=2012 Results for State Representative District 45B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Freiberg | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 15,053 | percentage = 65.95 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Reid Johnson | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 7,740 | percentage = 33.91 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 31 | percentage = 0.14 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 22,824 | 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 = 2014 Minnesota State House - District 45B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=20&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=444&show=Go|title=2014 Results for State Representative District 45B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Freiberg (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 10,750 | percentage = 66.94 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Alma J. Wetzker | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 5,281 | percentage = 32.89 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 27 | percentage = 0.17 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 16,058 | 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 = 2016 Minnesota State House - District 45B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=100&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=444&show=Go|title=2016 Results for State Representative District 45B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Freiberg (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 15,261 | percentage = 68.04 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Alma J. Wetzker | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 7,098 | percentage = 31.65 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 71 | percentage = 0.32 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 22,430 | 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 = 2018 Minnesota State House - District 45B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=115&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=444&show=Go|title=2018 Results for State Representative District 45B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Freiberg (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 15,727 | percentage = 72.44 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Steve Merriman | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 5,954 | percentage = 27.42 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 30 | percentage = 0.14 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 21,711 | 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 = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 45B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=444&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 45B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Freiberg (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 17,929 | percentage = 70.63 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Ken Fitzgerald | party = Republican Party of Minnesota | votes = 7,430 | percentage = 29.27 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 26 | percentage = 0.10 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 25,385 | 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 43B<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=440&show=Go|title=2022 Results for State Representative District 43B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Freiberg (incumbent) | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | votes = 17,141 | percentage = 70.63 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 434 | percentage = 2.47 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 17,575 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party }} {{Election box end}}

==Personal life== Freiberg has been married to his wife, Lauren, since 2006. They have two children and reside in Golden Valley, Minnesota.<ref name="Freiberg" /> Freiberg plays keyboard and has done so in the Minnesota State Band, the last state band in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=2017-03-10 |title=Last band standing |url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2017/03/last-band-standing/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref>

Freiberg is agnostic,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cfequality.org/secular-elected-officials |title=Humanist, Atheist, Agnostic and Nonreligious Elected Officials |website=Center for Freethought Equality |access-date=September 6, 2024 |quote=Rep. Freiberg is an agnostic. He was re-elected in 2022 to a two-year term.}}</ref> and co-founded Minnesota's "Secular Government Caucus".

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{MN-legdb|15398}} *[http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?id=15398 Rep. Mike Freiberg] ''official Minnesota House of Representatives website'' *[http://www.mikefreiberg.com/ Rep. Mike Freiberg] ''official campaign website''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freiberg, Mike}} Category:Living people Category:People from Golden Valley, Minnesota Category:Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences alumni Category:William Mitchell College of Law alumni Category:Democratic Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives Category:1976 births Category:United States congressional aides Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature