# Joe McDonald (politician) *Minnesota state representative (Republican), serving District 29A since 2011* Joseph P. McDonald (born July 21, 1966) is a Republican member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]], where he has represented District 29A since 2011.[^1] The district lies northwest of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It takes in Delano and Rockford along with portions of Wright, Meeker and Hennepin counties. He belongs to the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]].[^1] Before entering the House, McDonald was a member of the Delano city council and then the city's mayor.[^2] He won his House seat in 2010, after [[Tom Emmer]] left it to run for governor. In the House he is the minority lead on the Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee.[^3] ## Early life, education, and career McDonald's birthplace is Watertown, Minnesota, and his parents are of Irish descent. His father, K. J. McDonald, held a seat in the Minnesota House from 1977 to 1991 and was also mayor of Watertown.[^2] McDonald holds an A.A. in photography from Hennepin Technical College. He later earned a master's degree in photography in 2003 and a Craftsman's degree in photography in 2008. He works as a photographer and owns a business.[^2] He sat on the Delano city council from 2000 through 2006. He became the city's mayor in 2007 and held that office until he won his legislative seat.[^2] ## Minnesota House of Representatives McDonald first won election to the House in 2010 and has won every biennial election since.[^3] The seat opened when [[Tom Emmer]], who had held it for three terms, chose not to seek reelection and instead ran for [[Governor of Minnesota]].[^3] In the 2022 Republican primary, McDonald was challenged by Joe Crawford, a member of the group Action 4 Liberty. After McDonald was ejected from an Action 4 Liberty event, he contacted the Wright County [[sheriff]] about what had happened. No charges were filed.[^3] McDonald faulted the group's tactics and defended his conservative voting record. He called the group "frauds" and described Erik Mortensen, a fellow legislator associated with it, as "a petulant child".[^3] He is the minority lead on the Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee and is also a member of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee.[^3] McDonald opposed a bill to bar noncompete clauses for many workers. He also opposed a bill that would have permitted a lower minimum wage for tipped employees. He was the author of a bill for full repeal of the estate tax.[^3] On regional government, McDonald has backed changes to the [[Metropolitan Council (Minnesota)]], the regional transit planning agency, and has pledged that "we'll do everything we can to make sure the Met Council doesn't put its tentacles into our county".[^3] He has cast votes to repeal Minnesota's gun permit laws. In 2020 he said he was open to restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions, but he urged that the question be voted on as a standalone bill.[^3] McDonald opposed letting liquor stores open on Sundays and urged residents to "stay home with your family. Value church and family times".[^3] He initially backed a proposal for 4 a.m. bar closing during the week of Super Bowl LII in 2018. Afterward he voiced reservations about the proposal.[^3] ## Personal life McDonald and his spouse have three children and live in Delano, Minnesota. A Catholic, he attends Delano's St. Peter's Catholic Church.[^4] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Joe McDonald (politician)*, English Wikipedia, lead section (revision 1365613323, retrieved 2026-10-26, CC BY-SA 4.0) — birth date, party, House service since 2011, District 29A and the communities it includes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_McDonald_(politician) [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Joe McDonald (politician)*, English Wikipedia, section *Early life, education, and career* (revision 1365613323, retrieved 2026-10-26, CC BY-SA 4.0) — birthplace, father's offices and dates, degrees and years, occupation, Delano council (2000–2006) and mayoral (2007–2010) service. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_McDonald_(politician) [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Joe McDonald (politician)*, English Wikipedia, section *Minnesota House of Representatives* (revision 1365613323, retrieved 2026-10-26, CC BY-SA 4.0) — 2010 election and Emmer vacancy, 2022 primary and Action 4 Liberty incident, committee posts, bill positions and quoted statements. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_McDonald_(politician) [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Joe McDonald (politician)*, English Wikipedia, section *Personal life* (revision 1365613323, retrieved 2026-10-26, CC BY-SA 4.0) — residence, family and religious affiliation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_McDonald_(politician)