Robert Bierman (politician) explained

Robert Bierman
State House:Minnesota
District:56A
Constituency:56A (2023-present)
57A (2019-2022)
Term Start:January 10, 2019
Predecessor:Erin Maye Quade
Birth Date:29 September 1960
Party:Democratic (DFL)
Spouse:Ellen
Children:2
Residence:Apple Valley, Minnesota
Education:University of Minnesota (B.A.)

Robert Bierman (born September 29, 1960) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Bierman represents District 56A in the southern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Apple Valley and parts of Dakota County.[1] [2]

Early life, education, and career

Bierman grew up with 11 siblings. He attended the University of Minnesota, earning a B.A. in history.

Bierman owns Bierman's Home Furnishings in Northfield, Minnesota, a business his family started over 100 years ago. He previously served as president of his local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.[3]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Bierman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018, and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran after one-term DFL incumbent Erin Maye Quade announced she would not seek reelection to run for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota with gubernatorial candidate Erin Murphy.[4] Bierman earned the DFL endorsement and won a five-candidate primary election. He was sworn in on January 10, 2019, two days after the beginning of his term, as he was hospitalized for an infection.[5] In 2020, Bierman had his election results challenged, but a judge dismissed the case for failing to state a claim and a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

Bierman serves as vice chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy, Commerce Finance and Policy, and Ethics Committees. From 2021 to 2022, he served as vice chair of the Preventative Health Policy Division of the Health Finance and Policy Committee.

Bierman has spoken out about the opioid epidemic, and carried legislation that would make a potential merger between the Fairview and Sanford health systems require approval from the state health commissioner before going through, citing concerns it could affect health care cost and access.[6] [7] [8] He authored legislation to fund electric vehicle charging stations in state parks, paid for by fees Xcel Energy pays to the state to store nuclear energy waste, and a bill to prepare for weatherization of homes.[9] [10]

Personal life

Bierman lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota, with his wife, Ellen, and has two children.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bierman, Robert - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present . 2023-03-09 . www.lrl.mn.gov.
  2. Web site: Rep. Robert Bierman (56A) - Minnesota House of Representatives . 2023-03-09 . www.house.mn.gov.
  3. Web site: Star Tribune Editorial Board . October 31, 2018 . EDITORIAL Election endorsements: The picks in House Districts 49A, 52B, 54A and 57A. . 2023-03-09 . Star Tribune.
  4. Web site: Van Berkel . Jessie . August 13, 2018 . Minnesota House candidates, from Minneapolis to Iron Range, face contested primaries . 2023-03-09 . Star Tribune.
  5. News: Dexter . Patty . Rep. Robert Bierman misses first day of session due to being hospitalized . January 14, 2019 . Sun Thisweek . Adams Publishing Group . January 10, 2019 . en.
  6. Web site: Forgrave . Reid . February 15, 2020 . Woman's battle vs. chronic pain expands to Minnesota's opioid laws . 2023-03-09 . Star Tribune.
  7. Web site: Olson . Jeremy . January 30, 2023 . Minnesota lawmakers weigh options for additional review of Fairview-Sanford merger . 2023-03-09 . Star Tribune.
  8. Web site: Griffith . Michelle . 2023-01-30 . House Democrats want state authority over health care consolidations in Minnesota . 2023-04-02 . Minnesota Reformer . en-US.
  9. Web site: Orenstein . Walker . 2021-03-04 . Electric vehicles are coming to Minnesota. Republicans and Democrats have very different ideas on how state government should respond. . 2023-04-02 . MinnPost . en-US.
  10. Web site: Jossi . Frank . 2022-04-04 . Minnesota bill aims to close a gap on funding for ‘pre-weatherization’ work . 2023-04-02 . Minnesota Reformer . en-US.