Kristin Robbins announces candidacy for House District 34A

Originally published at hometownsource.com

Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove) announced her candidacy for the 34A Minnesota House seat May 31. Robbins is a mom of three girls, the Deputy Chair of Senate District 34 Republicans, serves on the Board of HopeBridge food shelf, and is an active member of New Hope Church. Robbins is running for the seat currently held by House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin, who announced her decision not to seek re-election yesterday.

“I am running to represent District 34A because I believe the people of Maple Grove, Rogers and Dayton need to continue to have a strong conservative voice in the Minnesota House,” Robbins said. “Rep. Peppin has been a great leader for our district and I believe my policy experience, and my focus on issues that will keep the Northwest metro growing, make me a strong candidate.

She continued, “As the Executive Director of the Economic Club, I have seen the key ingredients to economic growth are a well-educated workforce, excellent transportation, and economic policies that promote job creation, retaining and retraining workers, and reasonable regulations. Minnesota isn’t just competing with neighboring states — we are competing for talent and investment with other countries.”

Her first priority will be to work with colleagues and the next Governor to pass the much-needed tax conformity legislation that Governor Dayton vetoed at the end of session. “Businesses and families will not see the full benefits of the Trump tax cuts if we do not align our state tax code with the new federal tax code,” she said. “The uncertainty, not to mention frustration, created by Governor Dayton will cost families and businesses money and delay purchases and investments until this is fixed.”

Robbins is a native of Crookston, attended Bethel University in Saint Paul, and has lived in the western suburbs for more than 20 years. She is currently the Executive Director of the Economic Club of Minnesota, a non-profit focused on strengthening Minnesota’s economic competitiveness, which she has led since its founding in 2008.

Robbins has an extensive background in economics and public service. Prior to creating and leading the Economic Club, she was the executive director of the group that helped pass education tax credits in Minnesota. She also served on the State Commission to End Chronic Homelessness. Robbins was a founding Director of the Banyan Community, a community development organization focused on addressing the achievement gap in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis and she continues to be actively engaged in their work.

Robbins also worked in Washington, D.C., as the Legislative Director for Congressman Harris W. Fawell (R-IL), where she focused on taxes, trade, education and labor issues. She also worked in the Business and Economics Division of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Robbins holds a Masters in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.A. in Economics/Political Science from Bethel University. She lives with her husband, Brent, and their three daughters in Maple Grove.