# Danny Nadeau *American politician, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (since 2023)* Danny Nadeau (born May 15, 1965) has represented District 34A in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2023 as a member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]].[^1] The district lies in the northwest part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It takes in Champlin and Rogers along with portions of Hennepin and Wright Counties.[^1] Before entering the legislature, Nadeau was a township administrator, a House Republican Research staffer and a program manager at the [[Minnesota Department of Commerce]]. He also spent twelve years as chief of staff to a Hennepin County commissioner.[^2] He won his House seat in 2022 after legislative redistricting created an open seat.[^3] At the 2026 Minnesota Republican state convention, Nadeau chaired the proceedings when delegates held a moment of silence for [[Derek Chauvin]]. Minnesota Attorney General [[Keith Ellison]] was among those who criticized it.[^4] ## Early life, education and career Nadeau grew up in Medina, Minnesota. He has made his home in Rogers for more than twenty years.[^2] In Hassan Township he held the post of township administrator and was a member of the park board.[^2] In 2008 he was on the staff of the House Republican Research department at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He then served as a program manager in the State Energy Office of the Minnesota Department of Commerce from 2009 to 2010.[^2] In 2016 Nadeau was deputy chair of the Republican executive committee for Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District. That year the committee chose not to endorse Donald Trump for president.[^5] Nadeau said the choice "was a hard decision" and said it was meant to help candidates lower on the ballot.[^5] Nadeau was Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson's chief of staff throughout Johnson's 12 years on the county board. He also worked on Johnson's campaigns for governor in 2014 and 2018.[^6] After Johnson said he would not seek reelection, Nadeau ran to succeed him with endorsements from Johnson and from the [[Star Tribune]] Editorial Board. The seat went to Kevin Anderson, a technical architect.[^6] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Nadeau won election to the House in 2022, running for an open seat drawn in legislative redistricting.[^3] His committee assignments are Health Finance and Policy and State and Local Government Finance and Policy.[^3] ### Policy positions Nadeau opposes abortion. He was against eliminating the requirement that both parents be notified when a Minnesotan under 18 seeks an abortion.[^7] He opposed added funding for the [[Minnesota Attorney General]]'s office to hire more criminal prosecutors. He said he preferred moving attorneys in the office's consumer protection department.[^7] He voted against a bill entitling workers to one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, arguing that it burdened small businesses.[^7] ### 2026 state convention moment of silence for Derek Chauvin Nadeau was convention chair at the 2026 Minnesota Republican state convention.[^4] A delegate moved that the convention observe a moment of silent prayer for Derek Chauvin, who was convicted in 2020 of murdering George Floyd. Speaking from the dais, Nadeau responded: "I said I preferred—I'll tell you what. I'm gonna put it to the body."[^4] After the motion carried on a voice vote, he led the delegates in a moment of silence lasting 10 seconds.[^4] Nadeau later spoke with KARE 11. He told the station that he had not known at the time who offered the motion. He also said, "I recommended at that point he not, but it's his right as a delegate to make a motion."[^4] Wikipedia reports that the moment of silence was widely criticized.[^4] Ellison described it as "an act of profound cruelty" and said, "To honor a man who disgraced his oath to uphold the law and his badge is disturbing."[^4] ## Personal life Nadeau is a resident of Rogers, Minnesota, and the father of two children.[^8] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — lead: born May 15, 1965; member of the Minnesota House since 2023; Republican Party of Minnesota; District 34A, including Champlin, Rogers and parts of Hennepin and Wright Counties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — early career: native of Medina; Rogers resident for over two decades; Hassan Township administrator and park board; House Republican Research (2008); State Energy Office program manager (2009–2010); chief of staff to Jeff Johnson. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — elected 2022 to an open seat created by redistricting; committee assignments. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — 2026 state convention: Nadeau as chair; motion, voice vote and 10-second moment of silence for Derek Chauvin; KARE 11 interview; criticism including Attorney General Keith Ellison's statement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — 2016 decision of the 3rd Congressional District Republican executive committee not to endorse Donald Trump; Nadeau as deputy chair; his comment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — chief of staff to Jeff Johnson for 12 years; 2014 and 2018 gubernatorial campaigns; endorsements in the race for Johnson's seat; defeat by Kevin Anderson. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — policy positions: abortion and two-parent notification; Attorney General prosecutor funding; vote against paid sick leave legislation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Danny Nadeau* (rev. 1382057552, retrieved 2026-10-26) — personal life: lives in Rogers; two children. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Nadeau