# Katie Jones (politician) *American politician and engineer; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for district 61A since 2025* Katie Jones is an engineer and [[Minnesota]] politician. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, she has held the district 61A seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2025.[^1] Before her election she worked as a lobbyist and policy writer for the Center for Energy and Environment and worked in the Sustainability Office of the [[City of Minneapolis]].[^2] She entered the House after Representative Frank Hornstein, who had represented 61A for 22 years, chose not to run again in 2024. Jones won the DFL primary with 43.15% of the vote. She won the November 5, 2024 general election with 83.92%.[^3] ## Early career Jones is from Lebanon, Indiana, and earned an engineering B.S. at Purdue University. Work with Habitat for Humanity in Rochester brought her to Minnesota, and she later moved to [[Minneapolis]].[^2] Before entering politics she was a lobbyist and policy writer for the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) and also worked in the city's Sustainability Office. She served as a member and as president of the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association. She also sat on the City of Minneapolis Capital and Long-Range Improvement Committee. Governor [[Tim Walz]] appointed her to his Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council.[^2] In the 2021 Minneapolis City Council election she sought the Ward 10 seat, which covers Whittier, South Uptown and the Wedge. She took 19.57% of first-round votes. She was eliminated in third place in the third round of ranked-choice tabulation, behind Aisha Chughtai and Alicia Gibson. Afterward she went back to the Capital Long Range Improvement Committee and to her CEE work.[^2] ## Minnesota House of Representatives In February 2024, Hornstein said he would not run again after 22 years representing district 61A. The district takes in Loring Park and much of the Bde Maka Ska-Isles area. Jones declared for the seat on March 6, 2024.[^3] The district DFL caucus made no endorsement, and three candidates filed for the DFL primary. They were Jones; Isabel Rolfes, a staffer for House Majority Leader [[Jamie Long]]; and Will Stancil, a researcher at the [[University of Minnesota]].[^3] According to Wikipedia, Jones was targeted with online threats by people who falsely presented themselves as Stancil supporters.[^3] Citing her climate-policy work in the district, she ran as a successor to Hornstein. His legislative focus had been largely on climate, and he had chaired the Transportation Committee. Hornstein endorsed her shortly before the primary. She won the primary with 43.15%, carrying a plurality in every precinct but one.[^3] No Republican filed for the seat. In the November 5, 2024 general election, Jones's opponent was Green Party nominee Toya Lopez. Jones received 83.92% of the vote.[^3] ## Personal life Jones and her husband, Peter, built a straw-bale house and live in it in the Wedge neighborhood of Minneapolis. The household has no car. In 2026 they rode a cargo e-bike to the hospital for the birth of their child.[^4] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Katie Jones, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for district 61A, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor party.[^1] ### What - Lobbyist and policy writer, Center for Energy and Environment. - Member, City of Minneapolis Capital and Long-Range Improvement Committee. - Appointee to Governor Walz's Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council.[^2] ### When - 2021: eliminated in third place in the Minneapolis Ward 10 council race after 19.57% of first-round votes.[^2] - February 2024: Hornstein announces he will not seek reelection. - March 6, 2024: Jones announces her candidacy.[^3] - 2024 DFL primary: won with 43.15%. - November 5, 2024: general election won with 83.92%.[^3] ### Where - House district 61A, including Loring Park and much of the Bde Maka Ska-Isles area.[^3] - Residence in the Wedge neighborhood of Minneapolis.[^4] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia, *Katie Jones (politician)*, lead section (revision 1365665681, retrieved 2026-10-26) — office, district, party and start of service. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Jones_(politician) [^2]: Wikipedia, *Katie Jones (politician)*, "Early career" section (revision 1365665681, retrieved 2026-10-26) — origins, education, CEE and city work, committee and council appointments, 2021 Ward 10 result. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Jones_(politician) [^3]: Wikipedia, *Katie Jones (politician)*, "Minnesota House of Representatives" section (revision 1365665681, retrieved 2026-10-26) — Hornstein retirement, candidacy date, primary field and result, general-election opponent and result. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Jones_(politician) [^4]: Wikipedia, *Katie Jones (politician)*, "Personal life" section (revision 1365665681, retrieved 2026-10-26) — residence and household. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Jones_(politician)