Welcome
It is an honor to represent our Northwest Minnesota community at the Capitol. I love serving as your state representative and an advocate for our community’s values in St. Paul, and I am committed to continue working for the families, farmers, schools, and businesses of Northwest Minnesota.
Your support ensures that folks in our region continue to have a strong voice at the State Capitol, and I hope I can continue to count on you again this year. I kindly ask for your support on Election Day.
Together, we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Meet Deb
Deb was born and raised south of Crookston where her parents ran the family farm. She graduated from Crookston Public Schools and attended Concordia College.
Deb married local farmer, Lonn Kiel, and they have been together for 45 years. Together, Lonn and Deb run their own family farm. They are blessed with 4 children and 20 grandchildren.
Deb believes that communities are strengthened by great people and caring neighbors, and she is an active volunteer in her community. She attends Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she sings in the choir and teaches Sunday school. She also previously served as the youth group leader and taught music at Our Saviors’ Lutheran school. Additionally, Deb had the privilege of working with the knowledge bowl group at Crookston Public schools. She also served 7 years on the Crookston School Board.
Deb has served as the state representative for District 1B since 2010 and hopes to continue representing the people and priorities of Northwest Minnesota at the Capitol.
Deb believes…
Minnesota state government should not grow faster than family budgets
every life is important and we should protect our unborn children, the elderly and the vulnerable from beginning to end of life
in protecting our Second Amendment rights
in Individual responsibility, hard work and self-reliance
in supporting agriculture to build a strong state economy
that every Minnesota child deserves a world-class education
Issues
Fighting Excessive DFL Spending
With a record-setting budget surplus and many families struggling with inflation and $5/gallon gas prices, Deb knew it was critical to put money back in the pockets of Minnesota families through meaningful and permanent tax cuts. When House Democrats held tax relief hostage for billions in permanent and ongoing spending, Deb stood up for taxpayers and voted no. With a fully-funded state budget, inflation at the highest level in decades, and gas and grocery prices increasing, there was no need to demand new government spending as a condition of giving Minnesotans their money back.
Deb opposed the massive new spending, because she believes Minnesotans deserved more tax cuts. Next year, Deb will fight for a record-setting tax cut with the massive budget surplus – and it won’t be held hostage for billions in new government spending.
Protecting Main Street Minnesota Businesses
Coming into this session, Minnesota employers were staring down a significant tax increase that was set to take effect beginning in April because of a deficit in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) trust fund, which was caused by the government shutdowns during the pandemic that triggered record unemployment claims.
Republicans fought to use the $1 billion in unspent federal COVID money, along with our record-setting $9 billion budget surplus to repay the trust fund and prevent the tax increase from hitting our businesses who are still struggling with inflation, supply chain challenges, a tight labor market, and rising energy costs. While Democrats in the House held the bill hostage for months, the legislature finally passed relief for our Main Street businesses in April.
Safety in Our Cities
Minnesota has seen an alarming increase in violent crime, and many communities across the state are struggling to fully staff their police departments. House Republicans were laser-focused this session on efforts to make our communities safer with new efforts to recruit and train new law enforcement, and to hold criminals accountable for repeat and violent crime.
Too often, liberal judges and prosecutors are allowing criminals – even violent criminals – back on the streets with little or no consequences. Next session, Deb will continue to advocate for holding criminals accountable, and to make it easier to recruit and train new officers.
Standing Up for Students and Schools
Deb believes every child deserves a world-class education. That’s why over the past two years she fought against the DFL’s harmful proposed mandates on schools and teachers. She also supported meaningful reforms to improve student learning and tackle Greater Minnesota’s critical teacher shortage, and advocated for parents’ ability to be directly involved in their children’s education.
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Mailing Address:
Citizens for Deb Kiel
36044 275th Ave SW
Crookston, MN 56716
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