Beers with Blois

Kate Knuth, a former state representative with experience in climate work, decided to enter the race for Minneapolis mayor in what she considers a “critical moment” for the city. Intersecting this year are discussions surrounding the future of public safety, housing and homelessness, the city’s resilience, charter technicalities surrounding the structure of Minneapolis’ government, and much more; in this episode, Knuth discusses her stances on all of the above and her hopes for the community in an election year.

Not only is Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey running for re-election, he’s also dealing with twin crises after one of the most difficult years in the city’s history. Frey joins as the first guest in the new season of ‘Beers with Blois,’ focused on candidates in the 2021 Minneapolis election, to discuss the ongoing public safety debate and divide, rent and housing, preserving downtown, the “strong mayor” government structure proposal floated by the Charter Commission, having a kid during amidst a tumultuous first term, and so much more.

Patty Mueller became involved in local politics after an experience teaching in China gave her a greater appreciation for the United States’ political system, but community members and students alike eventually pushed the southern Minnesotan English teacher to run for state office. Hear freshman Rep. Mueller discuss her far-reaching campaign, necessary changes to the Minnesota education system, her love of spicy food, and more.

Newly-elected Representative John Thompson has long been driven to help his East Saint Paul community by speaking at committee hearings for years, especially empowered by the police killing of his friend Philando Castile, with whom he worked for Saint Paul Public Schools. On this episode, Rep. Thompson discusses his diverse community’s educational needs, legislators’ perception of him as an “activist,” takeaways from his campaign controversy in Hugo, and much more. Plus, listen to the end to hear the Chicago Cubs fan’s favorite cold one stop in his district!

Former public defender and Education Minnesota lawyer Cedrick Frazier not only brings legal expertise to the State House, but also a unique perspective on policies’ regional effects. A lifelong Bears fan, Frazier came to Minnesota from the South Side of Chicago to study and play football at the University of Minnesota-Morris; on this episode, hear him describe the “culture shock” of moving from Chicago to Morris, his policy priorities in this session, and the activities he uses to unwind after a long week at the Legislature.

After transitioning from the state house to the upper chamber, Senator Mary Kunesh of Columbia Heights wasted no time in getting to work. On the latest episode of the new legislator season, listen to Kunesh, a teacher herself, discuss necessary changes to education policy and equity during and after the pandemic, and hear more about the legislator’s path from working three jobs as a single mother of three to being an impressive figure in Minnesota politics.

Former Lakeville school board member and now-State Senator Zach Duckworth always arrives early, whether it be a podcast interview or a committee hearing. But Duckworth is impressive beyond his defiance of “Senate time”; hear the young Republican discuss flipping a high-profile district while avoiding toxic partisanship in the battle of “nice guys,” education policy emerging from the pandemic’s spike, and more.

Not only was Rep. Bjorn Olson the mayor of Walter Mondale’s hometown of Ellmore in southwestern Minnesota, but he also still lives in the former vice president’s former house backyard where Mondale announced his 1984 presidential candidacy. Hear Olson, a social studies teacher, farmer, and U.S. Army Reserve Captain recount past encounters with Mondale and Governor Walz, and hear him discuss how his rural, agricultural roots inform serving as a southwestern Minnesotan representative.

Aric Putnam, professor of communication at Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict for 17 years, found his passion for studying and teaching rhetorical theory in his own college experience. Now, he flipped a district from red to blue as Saint Cloud’s senator. On this episode, the professor discusses the city’s salient issues – from veterans’ concerns to education – as well as more about his own path from California to central Minnesota.

Representative Brain Pfarr, member of the Minnesota National Guard for over three decades and bank president, boasts a resume that helped him win his first ever run for office in Minnesota’s district 20A. Hear him discuss lessons learned from his service – including his involvement in containing the civil unrest that swept Minneapolis this summer – and more in another episode of the new legislator season.

After flipping his district in a contest against an incumbent, representative and New Republican caucus member Erik Mortensen continued to be one of the most outspoken critics of the governor. But get to know “Mort,” as the reluctant politician is colloquially known, in this episode as he talks about the role of government, the future of the GOP, and going winter camping in -71°F windchill conditions.

Nonprofit founder and South Dakota-born senator-elect Lindsey Port of Burnsville has worked on many campaigns in the past, but none was quite like 2020 – which saw numerous surprise issues and pandemic obstacles. Hear Port describe winning suburban voters, navigating national narratives and turnout uncertainty on the campaign trail, and how Democrats can win small business owners in this latest episode of Beers with Blois.

Seeing the absence of civil engineers in government, Ann Johnson, who started her own engineering business, decided to step up to the plate to join infrastructure policymaking. But district 44 senator-elect Johnson is eager to act on more than a single issue; hear her discuss the climate crisis, “common sense” gun laws, and more. And, stick around to the end of the podcast to hear the northern Wisconsinite’s beverage and brewery recommendations.

After working on Paul Wellstone’s 2002 campaign team kickstarted Emma Greenman’s interest in “returning politics to the people,” the district 63B representative-elect is moving from a career of community organizing to a legislative role. Hear Greenman talk about her fascination with voting and democracy (and their relevance in the 2020 election), serving her hometown district, and, of course, the best bar crawl destinations in southeast Minneapolis.

Donald Raleigh, representative-elect for district 38A, brings to the legislature a distinguished background of military service and almost two decades of small business experience. The new legislator discusses salient issues in his Anoka and Washington County district, including business support and a return to in-person education, as well as running a positive campaign in a polarized year.

Hawaiian-born lawyer Athena Hollins was elected to represent her Saint Paul house district after upsetting incumbent John Lesch in the Democratic primary. Hollins discusses campaigning in a year of revolving issues, including climate justice and public safety, and her impressive adjustment to Minnesota's cold winters.

As a self-proclaimed “legal nerd” equipped with years of experience in immigration law and with the ACLU, Rep.-elect Sandra Feist discusses her legislative ambitions concerning education, civil liberties, and more. Also, tune in to hear about the newly-formed “nerd caucus” and Feist’s wide range of interests – from heavy metal to Minnesota sports.

Jordan Rasmussen, elected to represent Otter Tail County’s prevailing house district, has been to Harvard and back; in this episode, he discusses his homecoming to Fergus Falls and how to attract more young people to rural Minnesota. Hear the investment and consulting veteran explain how Excel spreadsheets and “returns on investment” inform his views on Minnesota’s regulatory environment, especially in a district miles from the North Dakota border.

Hailing from Grand Rapids, Rep.-elect Spencer Igo brings not only a background of working for Jason Lewis and Pete Stauber to St. Paul this session, but also a drive to help his northern district see a thriving economy. The 24-year-old outdoorsman talks about COVID-19 restrictions, the Minnesota culture of community, and his surprising beer of choice – listen to the end for the reveal!

Previously a Chanhassen City Council member, new Senator Julia Coleman brings a young mom’s view to her first term in the Minnesota Senate.  Hear what issues she wants to champion and how her father-in-law Norm Coleman gives her political counsel