# Ben Bakeberg *American politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives* Ben Bakeberg (born July 15, 1978) has been a member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2023.[^1] He belongs to the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] and holds the seat for District 54B. The district lies south of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and takes in the city of [[Prior Lake]] and part of Scott County.[^1] He won the seat in the 2022 election. His candidacy followed redistricting. It also followed the departure of Tony Albright, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] who had served five terms. Albright announced he would not seek reelection and resigned to take a lobbying job.[^2] Bakeberg is a former middle school principal and sits on the House's Education Finance and Education Policy Committees.[^3] His recorded statements include three positions. He opposed a proposed requirement that high schools offer an ethnic studies course. He criticized a bill guaranteeing every student a daily breakfast and lunch. He also made remarks on whole language and balanced literacy instruction.[^4] ## Early life, education and career Bakeberg earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. He later completed a master's degree in science in education leadership at Minnesota State University, [[Mankato]].[^5] He has worked as principal of Jordan Middle School in [[Jordan]], [[Minnesota]].[^5] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Bakeberg first won election to the House in 2022 and began serving in 2023.[^2] His committee assignments are Education Finance and Education Policy.[^3] ### Political positions In 2024 Bakeberg campaigned under the slogan "strong families, strong communities, and strong schools."[^6] Bakeberg spoke against legislation that would require Minnesota high schools to offer an ethnic studies course. He said: "Diversity makes us stronger. Learning different perspectives makes each of us, just simply at a basic level, better human beings."[^4] He argued that local districts across the state were already offering such instruction and that "they don't need us to mandate."[^4] As a teacher and as a principal, Bakeberg has overseen a school lunchroom. He said that a bill providing every student with breakfast and lunch each day "does not ensure that every student will be full." He also said it would leave school lunch debt in place because some children may take additional meals. In his words: "Kids are saying, 'I need an extra entrée, I need a la carte' and kids continue to be hungry because of the federal lunch guidelines."[^7] At a committee hearing on the state's literacy requirements, Bakeberg called whole language and balanced literacy programs "quite possibly one of the greatest frauds in education in the past 40 years."[^8] He continued: "We cannot abandon our children for those interested in protecting their pockets—money—and protecting systems that are more comfortable for adults than they are for kids."[^8] ## Personal life Bakeberg and his wife, Lindy, make their home in Jordan. He has three children.[^9] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth date, House service since 2023, party, District 54B and its area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — 2022 election, redistricting, Tony Albright's departure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — committee assignments and principal's post. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — statement on the ethnic studies course requirement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — degrees and employment as principal of Jordan Middle School. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — 2024 campaign slogan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — statements on the universal school meals bill. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — remarks at a committee hearing on literacy requirements. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg [^9]: Wikipedia contributors, *Ben Bakeberg* (rev. 1365507689, retrieved 2026-10-26) — residence, spouse, children. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bakeberg