# Krista Knudsen *American politician; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from District 5A* Krista Knudsen (born December 28, 1979) is a [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]], where she has held the District 5A seat since 2023.[^1] The district lies in northern [[Minnesota]]. It takes in the city of Park Rapids and portions of Becker, Cass, Hubbard and Wadena Counties.[^1] Before her election to the Legislature, Knudsen spent eight years on the Lake Shore City Council and became the city's mayor in 2020.[^2] In 2025 she co-sponsored a bill that would classify messenger RNA (mRNA) treatments as "weapons of mass destruction". The bill would make possessing or administering them a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.[^3] ## Early life, education and career Knudsen holds a bachelor's degree in social work and alcohol and drug studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato.[^2] She was a member of the Lake Shore City Council for eight years and became the city's mayor in 2020.[^2] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Knudsen won election to the House in 2022.[^4] Her first candidacy followed redistricting. It also followed an announcement by John Poston, the Republican who had held the seat for three terms, that he would not run again.[^4] Her committee assignments are Education Finance and Education Policy.[^4] In 2025 Knudsen joined as a co-sponsor of a bill to classify mRNA treatments as "weapons of mass destruction". Several COVID-19 vaccines fall within that category of treatments. The bill would also make possessing or administering such treatments a crime carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.[^3] The cited source attributes the drafting of the bill to a Florida-based hypnotist.[^3] The record assembled for this article does not include the bill's number, text or legislative history.[^3] ## Personal life Knudsen lives in Lake Shore, Minnesota. She and her husband, Kevin, have four children.[^5] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Krista Knudsen is a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 5A.[^1] ### What - In 2025 she co-sponsored a bill to classify mRNA treatments as weapons of mass destruction. The bill would make possessing or administering them punishable by up to 20 years in prison.[^3] ### When - Born December 28, 1979.[^1] - Mayor of Lake Shore from 2020, after eight years on the Lake Shore City Council.[^2] - Elected to the House in 2022, following redistricting and the announced departure of incumbent John Poston. She took office in 2023.[^1][^4] - Co-sponsored the mRNA bill in 2025.[^3] ### Where - District 5A, northern Minnesota. The district includes Park Rapids and parts of Becker, Cass, Hubbard and Wadena Counties.[^1] - Resides in Lake Shore, Minnesota.[^5] ### How many - Eight years of service on the Lake Shore City Council.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Krista Knudsen* (revision 1365669489, retrieved 26 October 2026), lead section. Establishes her birth date, House service since 2023, party, and District 5A and its area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krista_Knudsen [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Krista Knudsen* (revision 1365669489, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Early life, education and career". Establishes her degree, eight years on the Lake Shore City Council and her mayoralty from 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krista_Knudsen [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Krista Knudsen* (revision 1365669489, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Minnesota House of Representatives". Establishes her 2025 co-sponsorship of the mRNA bill, its terms and penalty, and the source's account of its drafter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krista_Knudsen [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Krista Knudsen* (revision 1365669489, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Minnesota House of Representatives". Establishes her 2022 election, the circumstances of her first run and her committee assignments. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krista_Knudsen [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Krista Knudsen* (revision 1365669489, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Personal life". Establishes her residence and family. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krista_Knudsen