Representative Paul Anderson

Paul H. Anderson was born on June 15, 1951, in Starbuck, Minnesota. He is a fourth-generation farmer who operates a 700-acre farm near Starbuck. Before his election to the Minnesota House of Representatives, Anderson served as a Pope County commissioner, a member of the Starbuck School Board, and a Starbuck township officer.

Anderson is married to Faith and has three children. He is a member of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

Education

Anderson graduated from Starbuck High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical education and education from the University of Minnesota, Morris.

Political Experience

Anderson was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008, representing District 12A in central Minnesota—which includes the cities of Morris and Benson and portions of Big Stone, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, and Swift Counties. He has been reelected every two years since his initial election.

Anderson first ran after three-term Republican incumbent Bud Heidgerken announced he would not seek reelection. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee and holds membership on the Energy Finance and Policy Committee and the State Government Finance and Policy Committee. From 2015 to 2018, he served as chair of the Agriculture Policy Committee, and from 2011 to 2012, he was vice chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Notable legislative actions include sponsoring legislation in 2011 to have the state subsidize two-thirds of a $900 million Minnesota Vikings stadium and introducing legislation to exempt a zoo in his district from state wildlife law.