Cole Birkeland Launches State House Campaign

Civil rights attorney Cole Birkeland of Lake Elmo on Monday announced his campaign for the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent district 41A. The district includes northern Cottage Grove, Afton, Lake Elmo, Lakeland, Lakeland Shores, Lake St. Croix Beach, and St. Mary's Point, along with the townships of Baytown, West Lakeland, with portions of Denmark and Grant.
In announcing his run for the seat currently held by Republican Wayne Johnson, Birkeland cited the need to move from the extreme partisanship Johnson's voting record represents. "I'm running to build bridges with everyone - Democrats, Republicans and Independents - to deliver common-sense results for the St. Croix Valley. My legal work focuses on the rights shared by all in our democracy, regardless of labels currently used by those in power to stoke fear and division. For example, I represent working people fighting to protect their hard-earned retirement savings. I'll continue that commitment to fairness and fiscal responsibility as a state representative." Birkeland also referenced his prior experience as legal counsel for various local governments as a strong qualification for the legislature, where cities and townships often turn for help when unexpected needs arise.
Birkeland's background includes work on several local and legislative campaigns and community service as a board member of the Lake Elmo Rotary Club. He and his wife Shelby live in Lake Elmo. He will seek the DFL endorsement at its convention on Feb. 21 at Oltman Middle School in Cottage Grove. For further information about the campaign and its kickoff event on December 9, go to https://coleforhouse.com.