Jon Koznick

Last updated
Jon Koznick
Member of the MinnesotaHouseofRepresentatives
from the 57A district
Assumed office
January 6, 2015
Website Government website Campaign website

Jon Koznick (born July 4, 1972) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Koznick represents District 57A in the southern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Lakeville and parts of Dakota and Scott Counties. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life, education, and career

Koznick was born in Colombia. After the death of his mother, he was placed in an orphanage at age five. He was adopted soon after and was brought to the United States. [1]

Koznick attended St. Cloud State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in marketing. He moved to Lakeville, Minnesota in 2001. [1]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Koznick was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2014 and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran after eight-term Republican incumbent Mary Liz Holberg announced she would not seek reelection. When elected, he was one of the first two Latino Republicans to serve in the Minnesota Legislature along with Eric Lucero. [1] [3] During the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary, Koznick joined two dozen state lawmakers in endorsing Florida Senator Marco Rubio. [4] He supported Tim Pawlenty during his 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary campaign. [5]

Koznick serves as the minority lead on the Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the State and Local Government Finance and Policy and Taxes Committees. From 2019 to 2020 he served as an assistant minority leader for the House Republican Caucus. [1] [6]

Transportation

Koznick has opposed legislation to raise the state's gas tax. [7] He sponsored legislation that would disband the Counties Transit Improvement Board, a public body that pools resources to pay for transit lines, a proposal opposed by Governor Mark Dayton. [8] Koznick authored a bill that would close the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which runs from Big Lake to Minneapolis, citing low ridership numbers. [9] [10] [11] He opposed funding for predevelopment of a land bridge over the I-94 highway in Saint Paul. [12]

Koznick signed on to a letter calling for reforms to the Metropolitan Council, a regional planning agency, and criticizing their handling of the Southwest light rail project. [13] He served on a committee on the Metropolitan Council's Structure and Service, and called for more accountability for the council. [14] He briefly served as chair of the Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Government, and later resigned after a procedural fight between DFL and Republican members of the commission. [15]

Koznick opposed reducing penalties for fare evasions in the Metro Transit system, and authored a bill to establish a rider code of conduct and increase police presence on transit. [16] [17] [18] He also worked on bipartisan legislation to create transit ambassadors, and favored increased monitoring of trains and stations. [19] [20] [21]

Other political positions

Koznick has co-sponsored legislation to toughen enforcement of existing gun laws. [22] He coauthored legislation attempting to recruit more teachers of color into Minnesota schools, as well as a bill that would propose a constitutional amendment to establish a fundamental right to quality public education in the state. [23] [24] Koznick opposed the creation of a fifth-income tier on the highest earners in Minnesota, saying it would lead to businesses leaving the state. [25]

In 2020 while serving as an assistant majority leader, Koznick accidentally sent an email to all representatives, instead of only Republican members, telling his colleagues to "“Stay on message if you speak today, COVID issues are not our winning message. PUBLIC SAFETY is our ticket to the majority, let’s win with that”. [26] [27]

Koznick supported Governor Tim Walz's proposal to increase small business assistance, but opposed the governor's calls for statewide paid leave. [28] He has supported increasing funding to the International Institute of Minnesota, a nonprofit that provides job training and English classes to new immigrants and refugees. [29] He sponsored legislation that would pay to improve the Lakeville Airlake Industrial Park to allow them to store unused rail cars. [30]

Liquor laws

Koznick has supported so-called "growler laws" which would allow breweries to sell cans and to-go growlers from brewery taprooms and restaurants. [31] He has also authored legislation to allow convenience stores to sell full-strength beer, instead of the 3.2 percent limit in current state law. [32] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Koznick sponsored legislation to allow restaurants to sell beer and wine with take-out orders, but opposed extending the provision to cover cocktails and spirits. [33] [34]

Electoral history

2014 Minnesota State House - District 58A [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jon Koznick 8,021 55.28
Democratic (DFL) Amy Willingham6,47644.63
Write-in 120.08
Total votes14,509 100.0
Republican hold
2016 Minnesota State House - District 58A [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jon Koznick (incumbent) 13,691 60.65
Democratic (DFL) LeAnn Weikle8,85239.22
Write-in 290.13
Total votes22,572 100.0
Republican hold
2018 Minnesota State House - District 58A [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jon Koznick (incumbent) 11,769 55.68
Democratic (DFL) Maggie Williams9,35444.25
Write-in 150.07
Total votes21,138 100.0
Republican hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 58A [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jon Koznick (incumbent) 15,597 56.16
Democratic (DFL) Erin Preese12,15543.77
Write-in 210.08
Total votes27,773 100.0
Republican hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 57A [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jon Koznick (incumbent) 13,039 62.53
Democratic (DFL) Greg Henningsen7,79237.36
Write-in 230.11
Total votes20,854 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

Koznick is married to his wife, Patty. They have two children and reside in Lakeville, Minnesota. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northstar Line</span> Commuter rail route in Minnesota, United States

The Northstar Line is a commuter rail route in the US state of Minnesota. Northstar runs 40 miles (64 km) from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis at Target Field using existing track and right-of-way owned by the BNSF Railway. Passenger service began on November 16, 2009. The rail line serves part of the Northstar Corridor between Minneapolis and St. Cloud. Planning for the line began in 1997 when the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) was formed. The corridor is also served by Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 10. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 142,200, or about 400 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Hornstein</span> American politician

Frank Hornstein is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2003. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Hornstein represents District 61A, which includes parts of the city of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Davids</span> American politician

Gregory Michael Davids is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2009, and from 1991 to 2006. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Davids represents District 26B in southeastern Minnesota, which includes the cities of La Crescent and Spring Valley, and parts of Fillmore, Houston, and Mower Counties.

Joseph P. McDonald is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2011. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, McDonald represents District 29A northwest of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Delano and Rockford and parts of Wright, Meeker, and Hennepin Counties.

Ron Kresha is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2013. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Kresha represents District 10A in north-central Minnesota, which includes the city of Little Falls and parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Morrison Counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Johnson (politician)</span> American politician

Brian Johnson is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2013. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Johnson represents District 28A in eastern Minnesota, which includes the cities of Cambridge, Isanti, and North Branch, and parts of Chisago and Isanti Counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peggy Bennett</span> American politician

Peggy Bennett is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Bennett represents District 23A in southern Minnesota, which includes the city of Albert Lea and parts of Faribault, Freeborn, Steele and Waseca Counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Heintzeman</span> American politician

Joshua Heintzeman is a Minnesotan politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Heintzeman represents District 6B, which includes the city of Brainerd and parts of Crow Wing County in central Minnesota.

Jeff Backer Jr. is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Backer represents District 9A in western Minnesota, which includes the city of Fergus Falls, Grant, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties, and parts of Otter Tail County.

Dave Baker is an American politician serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Baker represents District 16B in west-central Minnesota, which includes the city of Willmar and parts of Kandiyohi County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Nash (politician)</span> American politician

James A. Nash is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Nash represents District 48A in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Waconia, Victoria, and Chaska, and parts of Carver County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fue Lee</span> American politician

Fue Lee is an Hmong-American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2016. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), Lee represents District 59A, which includes parts of northern Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Grossell</span> American politician

Matthew "Matt" Grossell is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2017. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Grossell represents District 2A in northwestern Minnesota, which includes the city of Bemidji and parts of Beltrami, Clearwater, and Lake of the Woods Counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anne Neu Brindley</span> American politician

Anne E. Neu Brindley is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2017. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Neu Brindley represents District 28B in east-central Minnesota, including the cities of Wyoming, Chisago, and North Branch, and parts of Chisago County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Lislegard</span> American politician

Dave Lislegard is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Lislegard represents District 7B in northeast Minnesota, which includes the city of Virginia and parts of St. Louis County in the Iron Range.

Shane Mekeland is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Mekeland represents District 27A in central Minnesota, which includes the cities of Big Lake, Becker, and surrounding areas of Sherburne County.

Steve Elkins is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Elkins represents District 50B in the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Bloomington and parts of Hennepin County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Howard (American politician)</span> American politician

Michael 'Mike' Howard is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Howard represents District 51A in the south-central Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Richfield and parts of Minneapolis in Hennepin County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Long</span> American politician

Jamie Long is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Long represents District 61B, which includes parts of southern Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Paul Novotny is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2020. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Novotny represents District 30B in east-central Minnesota, which includes the cities of Elk River and Otsego and parts of Anoka, Sherburne, and Wright Counties.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Koznick, Jon". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Rep. Jon Koznick (57A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. ↑ Pugmire, Tim (October 27, 2015). "As MN diversity grows, Legislature stays mostly white". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  4. ↑ Bakst, Brian (February 25, 2016). "Rubio nets backing from two dozen state legislators". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  5. ↑ Brucato, Cyndy (2018-06-03). "Johnson wins GOP endorsement, setting up primary against Pawlenty". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  6. ↑ Keen, Judy (December 1, 2018). "Minnesota House Republican leaders prepare for minority role". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  7. ↑ Coolican, J. Patrick (April 29, 2019). "House passes gas tax that Senate GOP vows 'we're not going to do'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  8. ↑ Moore, Janet (May 5, 2017). "Twin Cities transit board under fire by Minnesota lawmakers". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  9. ↑ Moore, Janet (March 26, 2021). "Talks surface again about shuttering Minnesota's Northstar rail line". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  10. ↑ Moore, Janet (October 31, 2021). "Northstar rail runs into trouble in Anoka County". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  11. ↑ Marohn, Kristi (April 7, 2021). "Plunge in riders sparks debate over Northstar's future". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  12. ↑ Galioto, Katie (April 13, 2022). "Rondo advocates push back against GOP efforts to halt state funding for I-94 land bridge". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  13. ↑ Runbeck, Linda; Peppin, Joyce (November 29, 2017). "OPINION EXCHANGE | The Met Council: Why this unelected governing body needs reforms". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  14. ↑ Jackson, Zoë (August 31, 2020). "Walz establishes Met Council oversight committee". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  15. ↑ Callaghan, Peter (2020-02-06). "The 2020 session of the Minnesota Legislature begins next week. The bickering has already started". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  16. ↑ Moore, Janet (February 3, 2020). "Minnesota legislators propose changing fare evasion fines on transit". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  17. ↑ Montemayor, Stephen (February 17, 2020). "Minnesota GOP lawmakers take aim at Twin Cities crime". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  18. ↑ Moore, Janet (February 29, 2020). "Light-rail stations could benefit from proposed safety measures at Minnesota State Capitol". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  19. ↑ Moore, Janet (July 18, 2020). "Metro Transit ambassadors, other safety measures languish at Capitol". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  20. ↑ Moore, Janet (March 16, 2021). "Bills would put safety officers on buses and LRT, lower fare evasion fines". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  21. ↑ Callaghan, Peter (2020-07-07). "How an effort to address Metro Transit safety got left behind at the Minnesota Legislature". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  22. ↑ Montemayor, Stephen (November 16, 2019). "Will gun policy swing Minnesota's 2020 elections?". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  23. ↑ Shockman, Elizabeth (February 12, 2019). "Bill aims to get more teachers of color in Minnesota classrooms". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  24. ↑ Eischens, Rilyn (February 15, 2021). "Bipartisan group of lawmakers introduces education amendment proposal". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  25. ↑ Griffith, Michelle (April 11, 2023). "DFL lawmakers propose additional income tax tier targeting wealthy Minnesotans". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  26. ↑ Montgomery, David (September 11, 2020). "Errant email tips off GOP messaging strategy". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  27. ↑ Lopez, Ricardo (September 11, 2020). "Minnesota GOP lawmaker: 'COVID issues are not our winning message'". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  28. ↑ Van Berkel, Jessie (January 19, 2023). "Minnesota leaders propose new spending to bolster workforce". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  29. ↑ Housley, Karin; Koznick, Jon (April 29, 2020). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Funding the International Institute of Minnesota is critical to the workforce". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  30. ↑ Adler, Erin (February 7, 2023). "Empty rail cars stored on Lakeville tracks still causing concern — but a solution may be coming". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  31. ↑ Painter, Kristen Leigh (June 5, 2021). "Minnesota's largest craft brewers make a last-call pitch to lawmakers for growler sales". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  32. ↑ Bierschbach, Briana (2018-05-04). "Is a behind-the-scenes debate at the Legislature foreshadowing more big changes to Minnesota's liquor laws?". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  33. ↑ Van Oot, Torey; Van Berkel, Jessie (April 16, 2020). "Cheers: Minnesota lawmakers strike deal on takeout beer-and-wine sales during coronavirus closures". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  34. ↑ Montemayor, Stephen (April 17, 2020). "Beer and wine sales with takeout orders can begin Saturday in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  35. ↑ "2014 Results for State Representative District 58A". Minnesota Secretary of State . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  36. ↑ "2018 Results for State Representative District 58A". Minnesota Secretary of State . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  37. ↑ "2018 Results for State Representative District 58A". Minnesota Secretary of State . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  38. ↑ "2020 Results for State Representative District 58A". Minnesota Secretary of State . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  39. ↑ "2022 Results for State Representative District 57A". Minnesota Secretary of State . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.